SAMPSON’S placard was on Barkington walls, and inside the asylum1 Alfred was softening2 hearts and buying consciences, as related; so, in fact, he had two strings3 to his bow.
But mark how strangely things turn; these two strings got entangled4. His father, alarmed by the placard, had called at the pawnbroker5’s shop, and told him he must move Alfred directly to a London asylum. Baker6 raised objections; Mr. Hardie crushed them with his purse, i.e., with his son’s and victim’s sweetheart’s father’s money. So then, as Baker after all could not resist the project, but only postpone7 it for a day or two, he preferred to take a handsome present, and cooperate. He even connived8 at Mr. Hardie’s signing the requisite9 name to the new order. This the giddy world calls forgery10; but, in these calm retreats, far from the public’s inquisitive11 eye, it goes for nothing. Why, Mrs. Archbold had signed Baker’s name and Dr. Bailey’s more than a hundred several times to orders, statements, and certificates; depriving Englishmen of their liberty and their property with a gesture of her taper12 fingers; and venting13 the conventional terms, “Aberration,” “Exaltation,” “Depression,” “Debility,” “Paralysis,” “Excitable,” “Abnormal,” as boldly and blindly as any male starling in the flock.
On the very night, then, of Alfred’s projected escape, two keepers came down from Dr. Wycherley’s asylum to Silverton station: Baker met them and drove them to Silverton House in his dog-cart. They were to take Alfred up by the night train; and, when he came into the kitchen with Brown, they suspected nothing, nor did Baker or Cooper, who presently emerged from the back kitchen. Brown saw, and recovered his wits partially14. “Shall I go for his portmanteau, sir?” stammered15 he, making a shrewd and fortunate guess at what was up. Baker assented16; and soon after went out to get the horse harnessed. On this Mrs. Archbold, pale, sorrowful, and silent hitherto, beckoned17 Alfred into the back kitchen, and there gave him his watch and his loose money. “I took care of them for you,” said she; “for the like have often been stolen in this place. Put the money in your shoes; it may be useful to you.”
He thanked her somewhat sullenly18; for his disappointment was so deep and bitter that small kindnesses almost irritated him.
She sighed. “It is cruel to be angry with me,” she said: “I am not the cause of this; it is a heavier blow to me than to you. Sooner or later you will be free — and then you will not waste a thought on me, I fear — but I must remain in this odious19 prison without your eyes and your smile to lighten me, yet unable to forget you. Oh, Alfred, for mercy’s sake, whisper me one kind word at parting; give me one kind look to remember and dote upon.”
She put out both hands as eloquently20 as she spoke21, and overpowered his prudence22 so far that he took her offered hands — they were as cold now as they were burning hot the last time — and pressed them, and said —
“I shall be grateful to you while I live.”
The passionate23 woman snatched her hands away. “Gratitude is too cold for me,” she cried; “I scorn even yours. Love me or hate me.”
He made no reply. And so they parted.
“Will you pledge your honour to make no attempt at escape on the road?” asked the pawnbroker on his return.
“I’ll see you d —— d first,” replied the prisoner.
On this he was handcuffed, and helped into the dog-cart.
They went up to town by the midnight train; but, to Alfred’s astonishment25 and delight did not take a carriage to themselves.
However, station after station was passed, and nobody came into their carriage. At last they stopped at a larger station, and a good many people were on the platform: Alfred took this opportunity and appealed in gentle but moving terms to the first good and intelligent face he saw. “Sir,” said he, “I implore26 your assistance.”
The gentleman turned courteously27 to him. The keepers, to Alfred’s surprise, did not interrupt.
“I am the victim of a conspiracy28, sir; they pretend I am mad: and are taking me by force to a madhouse, a living tomb.”
“You certainly don’t appear to be mad,” said the gentleman.
The head keeper instantly showed him the order and a copy of the certificates.
“Don’t look at them, sir,” cried Alfred; “they are signed by men who were bribed29 to sign them. For pity’s sake, sir, judge for yourself. Test my memory, my judgment30, by any question you please. Use your own good sense; don’t let those venal31 rogues32 judge for you.”
The gentleman turned cold directly.
“I could not take on me to interfere,” said he. The unsworn affidavits33 had overpowered his senses. He retired34 with a frigid35 inclination36. Alfred wrung37 his handcuffed hands, and the connecting chain rattled38.
The men never complained: his conduct was natural; and they knew their strength. At the next station he tested a snob’s humanity instead of a gentleman’s. He had heard they were more tender-hearted. The answer was a broad grin, repeated at intervals39.
Being called mad was pretty much the same thing as being mad to a mind of this class: and Alfred had admitted he was called mad.
At the next station he implored40 a silvery-haired old gentleman. Old age, he had heard, has known griefs, and learned pity.
The keeper showed the certificates.
“Ah!” said Senex; “poor young man. Now don’t agitate41 yourself. It is all for your good. Pray go quietly. Very painful, very painful.” And he hobbled away as fast as he could. It is by shirking the painful some live to be silvery old.”
Next he tried a policeman. Bobby listened to him erect42 as a dart43.
The certificates were shown him.
He eyed them and said sharply, “All right.” Nor could Alfred’s entreaties44 and appeals to common sense attract a word or even a look from him. Alfred cried “Help! murder! If you are Englishmen, if you are Christians45, help me.”
This soon drew a crowd round him, listening to his fiery46 tale of wrong, and crying “Shame, shame! Let him go.” The keepers touched their heads, winked47, and got out and showed the certificates; the crowd melted away like wax before those two suns of evidence (unsworn). The train moved on.
It was appalling48. How could he ever get free? Between his mind and that of his fellows there lay a spiritual barrier more impassible than the walls of fortified49 cities.
Yet, at the very next station, with characteristic tenacity50 of purpose, he tried again; for he saw a woman standing51 near, a buxom52 country woman of forty. Then he remembered that the Naked Eye was not yet an extinct institution among her sex. He told her his tale, and implored her to use her own eyes. She seemed struck, and did eye him far more closely than the men had: and told the keepers they ought to be ashamed of themselves; he was no madman, for she had seen madmen. They showed her the certificates.
“Oh, I am no scholar!” said she contemptuously; “ye can’t write my two eyes out of my head.”
The keeper whipped off Alfred’s cap and showed his shaven crown.
“La! so he is,” said she, lowering her tone; “dear heart, what a pity. And such a pretty young gentleman.” And after that all he could say only drew the dew of patient pity to her eyes.
The train went on, and left her standing there, a statue of negative clemency53. Alfred lost heart. He felt how impotent he was. “I shall die in a madhouse,” he said. He shivered in a corner, hating man, and doubting God.
They reached Dr. Wycherley’s early in the morning. Alfred was shown into a nice clean bedroom, and asked whether he would like to bathe or sleep. “Oh, a bath,” he said; and was allowed to bathe himself. He had not been long in the water when Dr. Wycherley’s medical assistant tapped at the door, and then entered without further ceremony — a young gentleman with a longish down on his chin, which, initiated54 early in the secrets of physiology55, he was too knowing to shave off and so go to meet his trouble. He came in looking like a machine, with a note-book in his hand, and stood by the bath side dictating56 notes to himself and jotting57 them down.
“Six contusions: two on the thorax, one on the abdomen58, two on the thighs59, one near the patella; turn, please.” Alfred turned in the water. “A slight dorsal60 abrasion61; also of the wrists; a severe excoriation62 of the ankle. Leg-lock, eh?”
“Yes.”
“Iron leg-lock. Head shaved. Large blister63. Good! Any other injuries external or internal under old system?”
“Yes, sir, confined as a madman though sane64, as you, I am sure, have the sense to see.”
“Oh, never mind that; we are all sane here — except the governor and I.”
He whipped out, and entered the condition of the new patient’s body with jealous minuteness in the case-book. As for his mind, he made no inquiry65 into that: indeed he was little qualified66 for researches of the kind.
At breakfast Alfred sat with a number of mad ladies and gentlemen, who by firmness, kindness, and routine, had been led into excellent habits: the linen67 was clean and the food good. He made an excellent meal, and set about escaping: with this view he explored the place. Nobody interfered68 with him; but plenty of eyes watched him. The house was on the non-restraint system. He soon found this system was as bad for him as it was good for the insane. Non-restraint implied a great many attendants, and constant vigilance. Moreover, the doors were strong, the windows opened only eight inches, and that from the top: their framework was iron, painted like wood, &c. It was next to impossible to get into the yard at night: and then it looked quite impossible to get any further, for the house was encompassed69 by high walls.
He resigned all hope of escape without connivance70. He sounded a keeper; the man fired at the first word. “Come, none of that, sir; you should know better than tempt24 a poor man.”
Alfred coloured to the eyes and sighed deeply. To have honour thrown in his face, and made the reason for not aiding him to baffle a dishonourable conspiracy! But he took the reproof71 so sweetly, the man was touched, and by-and-bye, seeing him deeply dejected, said good-naturedly, “Don’t be down on your luck, sir. If you are really better, which you don’t look to have much the matter now, why not write to the Commissioners72 and ask to be let out?”
“Because my letters will be intercepted73.”
“Ay, to your friends; but not to the Commissioners of Lunacy. Not in this house, any way.”
“God bless you!” cried Alfred impetuously. “You are my benefactor74; you are an honest fellow; give me your hand.”
“Well, why not? Only you mustn’t excite yourself. Take it easy.” (Formula.)
“Oh, no cant75 among friends!” said Alfred: “wouldn’t you be excited at the hope of getting out of prison?”
“Well, I don’t know but I might. Bound I am as sick of it as you are.”
Alfred got paper and sketched76 the letter on which so much depended. It took him six hours. He tore up two; he cooled down the third, and condensed it severely77: by this means, after much thought, he produced a close and telling composition. He also weeded it of every trait and every term he had observed in mad people’s talk, or the letters they had shown him. So there was no incoherency, no heat, no prolixity78, no “spies,” no “conspiracy,” no italics. A simple, honest, earnest story, with bitter truth stamped on every line; a sober, strong appeal from a sore heart but hard head to the arbiters79 of his fate.
To the best of my belief no madman, however slightly touched, or however cunning, ever wrote a letter so gentle yet strong, so earnest yet calm, so short yet full, and withal so lucid80 and cleanly jointed81 as this was. And I am no contemptible82 judge; for I have accumulated during the last few years a large collection of letters from persons deranged83 in various degrees, and studied them minutely, more minutely than most Psychologicals study anything but Pounds, Shillings, and Verbiage84.
The letter went, and he hoped but scarcely expected an answer by return of post. It did not come. He said to his heart, “Be still;” and waited. Another day went by; and another: he gnawed85 his heart and waited: he pined, and waited on. The Secret Tribunal, which was all a shallow legislature had left him, “took it easy.” Secret Tribunals always do.
But, while the victim-suitor longed and pined and languished86 for one sound from the voice of Justice and Humanity, and while the Secret Tribunal, not being in prison itself all this time, “took it easy,” events occurred at Barkington that bade fair to throw open the prison doors and bring father and son, bride and bridegroom, together again under one roof.
But at what a price.
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asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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softening
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| 变软，软化 | |
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strings
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| n.弦 | |
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entangled
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| adj.卷入的；陷入的；被缠住的；缠在一起的v.使某人（某物/自己）缠绕，纠缠于（某物中），使某人（自己）陷入（困难或复杂的环境中）( entangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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pawnbroker
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| n.典当商，当铺老板 | |
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baker
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| n.面包师 | |
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postpone
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| v.延期，推迟 | |
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connived
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| v.密谋 ( connive的过去式和过去分词 )；搞阴谋；默许；纵容 | |
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requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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forgery
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| n.伪造的文件等，赝品，伪造（行为） | |
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inquisitive
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| adj.求知欲强的，好奇的，好寻根究底的 | |
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taper
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| n.小蜡烛，尖细，渐弱；adj.尖细的；v.逐渐变小 | |
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venting
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| 消除； 泄去； 排去； 通风 | |
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partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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odious
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| adj.可憎的，讨厌的 | |
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eloquently
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| adv. 雄辩地(有口才地, 富于表情地) | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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bribed
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| v.贿赂( bribe的过去式和过去分词 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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venal
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| adj.唯利是图的，贪脏枉法的 | |
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rogues
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| n.流氓( rogue的名词复数 )；无赖；调皮捣蛋的人；离群的野兽 | |
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affidavits
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| n.宣誓书，（经陈述者宣誓在法律上可采作证据的）书面陈述( affidavit的名词复数 ) | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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frigid
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| adj.寒冷的，凛冽的；冷淡的；拘禁的 | |
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inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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agitate
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| vi.(for,against)煽动，鼓动；vt.搅动 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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dart
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| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
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entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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Christians
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| n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
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fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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tenacity
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| n.坚韧 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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buxom
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| adj.（妇女）丰满的，有健康美的 | |
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clemency
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| n.温和，仁慈，宽厚 | |
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initiated
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| n. 创始人 adj. 新加入的 vt. 开始，创始，启蒙，介绍加入 | |
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physiology
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| n.生理学，生理机能 | |
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dictating
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| v.大声讲或读( dictate的现在分词 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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jotting
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| n.简短的笔记，略记v.匆忙记下( jot的现在分词 )；草草记下，匆匆记下 | |
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abdomen
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| n.腹，下腹(胸部到腿部的部分) | |
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thighs
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| n.股，大腿( thigh的名词复数 )；食用的鸡（等的）腿 | |
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dorsal
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| adj.背部的，背脊的 | |
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abrasion
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| n.磨（擦）破，表面磨损 | |
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excoriation
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| n.严厉的责难；苛责；表皮脱落；抓痕 | |
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blister
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| n.水疱；(油漆等的)气泡；v.(使)起泡 | |
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sane
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| adj.心智健全的，神志清醒的，明智的，稳健的 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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encompassed
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| v.围绕( encompass的过去式和过去分词 )；包围；包含；包括 | |
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connivance
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| n.纵容；默许 | |
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reproof
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| n.斥责，责备 | |
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commissioners
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| n.专员( commissioner的名词复数 )；长官；委员；政府部门的长官 | |
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intercepted
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| 拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 )； 截住； 截击； 拦阻 | |
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benefactor
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| n. 恩人，行善的人，捐助人 | |
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cant
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| n.斜穿，黑话，猛扔 | |
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76
sketched
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| v.草拟（sketch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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78
prolixity
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| n.冗长，罗嗦 | |
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arbiters
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| 仲裁人，裁决者( arbiter的名词复数 ) | |
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80
lucid
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| adj.明白易懂的，清晰的，头脑清楚的 | |
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81
jointed
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| 有接缝的 | |
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82
contemptible
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| adj.可鄙的，可轻视的，卑劣的 | |
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83
deranged
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| adj.疯狂的 | |
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84
verbiage
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| n.冗词；冗长 | |
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85
gnawed
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| 咬( gnaw的过去式和过去分词 )； （长时间） 折磨某人； （使）苦恼； （长时间）危害某事物 | |
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86
languished
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| 长期受苦( languish的过去式和过去分词 )； 受折磨； 变得（越来越）衰弱； 因渴望而变得憔悴或闷闷不乐 | |
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