第11章

IsitnecessarytosaywhatmyfirstimpressionwaswhenIlookedatmyvisitor’scard？Surelynot！Mysisterhavingmarriedaforeigner，therewasbutoneimpressionthatanymaninhissensescouldpossiblyfeel。OfcoursetheCounthadcometoborrowmoneyofme。

`Louis，’Isaid，`doyouthinkhewouldgoawayifyougavehimfiveshillings？’

Louislookedquiteshocked。Hesurprisedmeinexpressiblybydeclaringthatmysister’sforeignhusbandwasdressedsuperbly，andlookedthepictureofprosperity。Underthesecircumstancesmyfirstimpressionalteredtoacertainextent。InowtookitforgrantedthattheCounthadmatrimonialdifficultiesofhisowntocontendwith，andthathehadcome，liketherestofthefamily，tocastthemallonmyshoulders。

`Didhementionhisbusiness？’Iasked。

`CountFoscosaidhehadcomehere，sir，becauseMissHalcombewasunabletoleaveBlackwaterPark。’

Freshtroubles，apparently。Notexactlyhisown，asIhadsupposed，butdearMarian’s。Troubles，anyway。Ohdear！

`Showhimin，’Isaidresignedly。

TheCount’sfirstappearancereallystartledme。HewassuchanalarminglylargepersonthatIquitetrembled-Ifeltcertainthathewouldshakethefloorandknockdownmyart-treasures。Hedidneithertheonenortheother。Hewasrefreshinglydressedinsummercostume——hismannerwasdelightfullyself-possessedandquiet——hehadacharmingsmile。Myfirstimpressionofhimwashighlyfavourable。Itisnotcreditabletomypenetration——asthesequelwillshow——toacknowledgethis，butIamanaturallycandidman，andIdoacknowledgeitnotwithstanding。

`Allowmetopresentmyself，MrFairlie，’hesaid。`IcomefromBlackwaterPark，andIhavethehonourandthehappinessofbeingMadameFosco’shusband。Letmetakemyfirstandlastadvantageofthatcircumstancebyentreatingyounottomakeastrangerofme。Ibegyouwillnotdisturbyourself——Ibegyouwillnotmove。’

`Youareverygood，’Ireplied。`IwishIwasstrongenoughtogetup。CharmedtoseeyouatLimmeridge。Pleasetakeachair。’

`Iamafraidyouaresufferingtoday，’saidtheCount。

`Asusual，’Isaid。`Iamnothingbutabundleofnervesdresseduptolooklikeaman。’

`Ihavestudiedmanysubjectsinmytime，’remarkedthissympatheticperson。`Amongotherstheinexhaustiblesubjectofnerves。MayImakeasuggestion，atoncethesimplestandthemostprofound？Willyouletmealterthelightinyourroom？’

`Certainly——ifyouwillbesoverykindasnottoletanyofitinonme。’

Hewalkedtothewindow。SuchacontrasttodearMarian！soextremelyconsiderateinallhismovements！

`Light，’hesaid，inthatdelightfulconfidentialtonewhichissosoothingtoaninvalid，`isthefirstessential。Lightstimulates。nourishes，preserves。Youcannomoredowithoutit，MrFairlie，thanifyouwereaflower。Observe。Here，whereyousit，Iclosetheshutterstocomposeyou。There，whereyoudonotsit，Idrawuptheblindandletintheinvigoratingsun。Admitthelightintoyourroomifyoucannotbearitonyourself。Light，sir，isthegranddecreeofProvidence。YouacceptProvidencewithyourownrestrictions。Acceptlightonthesameterms。’

Ithoughtthisveryconvincingandattentive。Hehadtakenmeinuptothatpointaboutthelight，hehadcertainlytakenmein。

`Youseemeconfused，’hesaid。returningtohisplace——`onmywordofhonour，MrFairlie，youseemeconfusedinyourpresence。’

`Shockedtohearit，Iamsure。MayIinquirewhy？’

`Sir，canIenterthisroom(whereyousitasufferer)，andseeyousurroundedbytheseadmirableobjectsofArt，withoutdiscoveringthatyouareamanwhosefeelingsareacutelyimpressionable，whosesympathiesareperpetuallyalive？Tellme，canIdothis？’

IfIhadbeenstrongenoughtositupinmychairIshould，ofcourse，havebowed。Notbeingstrongenough，Ismiledmyacknowledgmentsinstead。Itdidjustaswell，webothunderstoodoneanother。

`Prayfollowmytrainofthought，’continuedtheCount。`Isithere，amanofrefinedsympathiesmyself，inthepresenceofanothermanofrefinedsympathiesalso。Iamconsciousofaterriblenecessityforlaceratingthosesympathiesbyreferringtodomesticeventsofaverymelancholykind。Whatistheinevitableconsequence？Ihavedonemyselfthehonourofpointingitouttoyoualready。Isitconfused。’

WasitatthispointthatIbegantosuspecthewasgoingtoboreme？Iratherthinkitwas。

`Isitabsolutelynecessarytorefertotheseunpleasantmatters？’Iinquired。`InourhomelyEnglishphrase，CountFosco，won’ttheykeep？’

TheCount，withthemostalarmingsolemnity，sighedandshookhishead。

`MustIreallyhearthem？’

Heshruggedhisshoulders(itwasthefirstforeignthinghehaddonesincehehadbeenintheroom)，andlookedatmeinanunpleasantlypenetratingmanner。MyinstinctstoldmethatIhadbetterclosemyeyes。Iobeyedmyinstincts。

`Pleasebreakitgently，’Ipleaded。`Anybodydead？’

`Dead！’criedtheCount，withunnecessaryforeignfierceness。`MrFairlie，yournationalcomposureterrifiesme。InthenameofHeaven，whathaveIsaidordonetomakeyouthinkmethemessengerofdeath？’

`Prayacceptmyapologies，’Ianswered。`Youhavesaidanddonenothing。Imakeitaruleinthesedistressingcasesalwaystoanticipatetheworst-Itbreakstheblowbymeetingithalf-way，andsoon。Inexpressiblyrelieved，Iamsure，tohearthatnobodyisdead。Anybodyill？’

Iopenedmyeyesandlookedathim。Washeveryyellowwhenhecamein，orhadheturnedveryyellowinthelastminuteortwo？Ireallycan’tsay，andIcan’taskLouis，becausehewasnotintheroomatthetime。

`Anybodyill？’Irepeated，observingthatmynationalcomposurestillappearedtoaffecthim。

`Thatispartofmybadnews，MrFairlie。Yes。Somebodyisill。’

`Grieved，Iamsure。Whichofthemisit？’

`Tomyprofoundsorrow，MissHalcombe。Perhapsyouwereinsomedegreepreparedtohearthis？PerhapswhenyoufoundthatMissHalcombedidnotcomeherebyherself，asyouproposed，anddidnotwriteasecondtime，youraffectionateanxietymayhavemadeyoufearthatshewasill？’

Ihavenodoubtmyaffectionateanxietyhadledtothatmelancholyapprehensionatsometimeorother，butatthemomentmywretchedmemoryentirelyfailedtoremindmeofthecircumstance。However，Isaidyes，injusticetomyself。Iwasmuchshocked。ItwassoveryuncharacteristicofsucharobustpersonasdearMariantobeill，thatIcouldonlysupposeshehadmetwithanaccident。Ahorse，orafalsesteponthestairs，orsomethingofthatsort。

`Isitserious？’Iasked。

`Serious——beyondadoubt，’hereplied。`Dangerous——Ihopeandtrustnot。MissHalcombeunhappilyexposedherselftobewettedthroughbyaheavyrain。Thecoldthatfollowedwasofanaggravatedkind，andithasnowbroughtwithittheworstconsequences——fever。’

WhenIheardthewordfever，andwhenIrememberedatthesamemomentthattheunscrupulouspersonwhowasnowaddressingmehadjustcomefromBlackwaterPark，IthoughtIshouldhavefaintedonthespot。

`GoodGod！’Isaid。`Isitinfectious？’

`Notatpresent，’heanswered，withdetestablecomposure。`Itmayturntoinfection——butnosuchdeplorablecomplicationhadtakenplacewhenIleftBlackwaterPark。Ihavefeltthedeepestinterestinthecase，MrFairlie——Ihaveendeavouredtoassisttheregularmedicalattendantinwatchingit——acceptmypersonalassurancesoftheuninfectiousnatureofthefeverwhenIlastsawit。’

Accepthisassurances！Ineverwasfartherfromacceptinganythinginmylife。Iwouldnothavebelievedhimonhisoath。Hewastooyellowtobebelieved。Helookedlikeawalking-West-Indian-epidemic。Hewasbigenoughtocarrytyphusbytheton，andtodyetheverycarpethewalkedonwithscarletfever。Incertainemergenciesmymindisremarkablysoonmadeup。Iinstantlydeterminedtogetridofhim。

`Youwillkindlyexcuseaninvalid，’Isaid——`butlongconferencesofanykindinvariablyupsetme。MayIbegtoknowexactlywhattheobjectistowhichIamindebtedforthehonourofyourvisit？’

Iferventlyhopedthatthisremarkablybroadhintwouldthrowhimoffhisbalance——confusehim——reducehimtopoliteapologies——inshort，gethimoutoftheroom。Onthecontrary，itonlysettledhiminhischair。Hebecameadditionallysolemn，anddignified，andconfidential。Hehelduptwoofhishorridfingersandgavemeanotherofhisunpleasantlypenetratinglooks。WhatwasItodo？Iwasnotstrongenoughtoquarrelwithhim。Conceivemysituation，ifyouplease。Islanguageadequatetodescribeit？Ithinknot。

`Theobjectsofmyvisit，’hewenton，quiteirrepressibly，`arenumberedonmyfingers。Theyaretwo。First，Icometobearmytestimony，withprofoundsorrow，tothelamentabledisagreementsbetweenSirPercivalandLadyGlyde。IamSirPercival’soldestfriend——IamrelatedtoLadyGlydebymarriage——Iamaneye-witnessofallthathashappenedatBlackwaterPark。InthosethreecapacitiesIspeakwithauthority，withconfidence，withhonourableregret。Sir，Iinformyou，astheheadofladyGlyde’sfamily，thatMissHalcombehasexaggeratednothingintheletterwhichshewrotetoyouraddress。Iaffirmthattheremedywhichthatadmirableladyhasproposedistheonlyremedythatwillspareyouthehorrorsofpublicscandal。Atemporaryseparationbetweenhusbandandwifeistheonepeaceablesolutionofthisdifficulty。Partthemforthepresent，andwhenallcausesofirritationareremoved，I，whohavenowthehonourofaddressingyou——IwillundertaketobringSirPercivaltoreason。LadyGlydeisinnocent，LadyGlydeisinjured，but——followmythoughthere！——sheis，onthatveryaccount(Isayitwithshame)，thecauseofirritationwhilesheremainsunderherhusband’sroof。Nootherhousecanreceiveherwithproprietybutyours。Iinviteyoutoopenit。’

Cool。HerewasamatrimonialhailstormpouringintheSouthofEngland，andIwasinvited，byamanwithfeverineveryfoldofhiscoat，tocomeoutfromtheNorthofEnglandandtakemyshareofthepelting。Itriedtoputthepointforcibly。justasIhaveputithere-TheCountdeliberatelyloweredoneofhishorridfingers，kepttheotherup，andwenton——rodeoverme，asitwere，withouteventhecommoncoachmanlikeattentionofcrying`Hi！’beforeheknockedmedown。

`Followmythoughtoncemore，ifyouplease，’heresumed。`Myfirstobjectyouhaveheard。MysecondobjectincomingtothishouseistodowhatMissHalcombe’sillnesshaspreventedherfromdoingforherself。MylargeexperienceisconsultedonalldifficultmattersatBlackwaterPark，andmyfriendlyadvicewasrequestedontheinterestingsubjectofyourlettertoMissHalcombe-Iunderstoodatonce——formysympathiesareyoursympathies——whyyouwishedtoseeherherebeforeyoupledgedyourselftoinvitingLadyGlyde。Youaremostright，sir，inhesitatingtoreceivethewifeuntilyouarequitecertainthatthehusbandwillnotexerthisauthoritytoreclaimher。Iagreetothat。Ialsoagreethatsuchdelicateexplanationsasthisdifficultyinvolvesarenotexplanationswhichcanbeproperlydisposedofbywritingonly。Mypresencehere(tomyowngreatinconvenience)istheproofthatIspeaksincerely。Asfortheexplanationsthemselves，I——Fosco——I，whoknowSirPercivalmuchbetterthanMissHalcombeknowshim，affirmtoyou，onmyhonourandmyword，thathewillnotcomenearthishouse，orattempttocommunicatewiththishouse，whilehiswifeislivinginit。Hisaffairsareembarrassed。OfferhimhisfreedombymeansoftheabsenceofLadyGlyde。Ipromiseyouhewilltakehisfreedom，andgobacktotheContinentattheearliestmomentwhenhecangetaway。Isthiscleartoyouascrystal？Yes，itis。Haveyouquestionstoaddresstome？Beitso，Iamheretoanswer-Ask，MrFairlie——obligemebyaskingtoyourheart’scontent。

Hehadsaidsomuchalreadyinspiteofme，andhelookedsodreadfullycapableofsavingagreatdealmorealsoinspiteofme，thatIdeclinedhisamiableinvitationinpureself-defence。

`Manythanks。Ireplied。`Iamsinkingfast。InmystateofhealthImusttakethingsforgranted。Allowmetodosoonthisoccasion。Wequiteunderstandeachother。Yes。Muchobliged，Iamsure，foryourkindinterference。IfIevergetbetter，andeverhaveasecondopportunityofimprovingouracquaintance——’

Hegotup。Ithoughthewasgoing。No。Moretalk，moretimeforthedevelopmentofinfectiousinfluences——inmyroom，too——rememberthat，inmyroom！

`Onemomentvet。’hesaid。`onemomentbeforeItakemyleave。Iaskpermissionatpartingtoimpressonyouanurgentnecessity。Itisthis，sir。YoumustnotthinkofwaitingtillMissHalcomberecoversbeforeyoureceiveLadyGlyde。MissHalcombehastheattendanceofthedoctor，ofthehousekeeperatBlackwaterPark，andofanexperiencednurseaswell——threepersonsforwhosecapacityanddevotionIanswerwithmylife。Itellyouthat。Itellyou，also，thattheanxietyandalarmofhersister’sillnesshasalreadyaffectedthehealthandspiritsofLadyGlyde，andhasmadehertotallyunfittobeofuseinthesickroom。Herpositionwithherhusbandgrowsmoreandmoredeplorableanddangerouseveryday。IfyouleaveheranylongeratBlackwaterPark，youdonothingwhatevertohastenhersister’srecovery，andatthesametime，youriskthepublicscandal。whichyouandI，andallofus，areboundinthesacredinterestsofthefamilytoavoid。Withallmysoul，IadviseyoutoremovetheseriousresponsibilityofdelayfromyourownshouldersbywritingtoLadyGlydetocomehereatonce。Doyouraffectionate，yourhonourable，yourinevitableduty，andwhateverhappensinthefuture，noonecanlaytheblameonyou。Ispeakfrommylargeexperience——Ioffermyfriendlyadvice。Isitaccepted——Yes，orNo？’

Ilookedathim——merelylookedathim——withmysenseofhisamazingassurance，andmydawningresolutiontoringforLouisandhavehimshownoutoftheroomexpressedineverylineofmyface。Itisperfectlyincredible，butquitetrue，thatmyfacedidnotappeartoproducetheslightestimpressiononhim。Bornwithoutnerves——evidentlybornwithoutnerves。

`Youhesitate？’hesaid。`MrFairlie！Iunderstandthathesitation。Youobject——see，sir，howmysympathieslookstraightdownintoyourthoughts！——youobjectthatLadyGlydeisnotinhealthandnotinspiritstotakethelongjourney，fromHampshiretothisplace，byherself。Herownmaidisremovedfromher，asyouknow，andofotherservantsfittotravelwithher，fromoneendofEnglandtoanother，therearenoneatBlackwaterPark。Youobject，again，thatshecannotcomfortablystopandrestinLondon，onherwayhere，becauseshecannotcomfortablygoalonetoapublichotelwheresheisatotalstranger。Inonebreath，Igrantbothobjections——inanotherbreath，Iremovethem。Followme，ifyouplease，forthelasttime。Itwasmyintention，whenIreturnedtoEnglandwithSirPercival，tosettlemyselfintheneighbourhoodofLondon。Thatpurposehasjustbeenhappilyaccomplished。Ihavetaken，forsixmonths，alittlefurnishedhouseinthequartercalledStJohn’sWood。Besoobligingastokeepthisfactinyourmind，andobservetheprogrammeInowpropose。LadyGlydetravelstoLondon(ashortjourney)——Imyselfmeetheratthestation——Itakehertorestandsleepatmyhouse，whichisalsothehouseofheraunt——whensheisrestoredIescorthertothestationagain——shetravelstothisplace，andherownmaid(whoisnowunderyourroof)receivesheratthecarriage-door。Hereiscomfortconsulted——herearetheinterestsofproprietyconsulted——hereisyourownduty——dutyofhospitality，sympathy，protection，toanunhappyladyinneedofallthree——smoothedandmadeeasy，fromthebeginningtotheend。Icordiallyinviteyou，sir，tosecondmyeffortsinthesacredinterestsofthefamily-Iseriouslyadviseyoutowrite，bymyhands，offeringthehospitalityofyourhouse(andheart)，andthehospitalityofmyhouse(andheart)，tothatinjuredandunfortunateladywhosecauseIpleadtoday。’

Hewavedhishorridhandatme——hestruckhisinfectiousbreast——headdressedmeoratorically，asifIwaslaidupintheHouseofCommons。Itwashightimetotakeadesperatecourseofsomesort。ItwasalsohightimetosendforLouis，andadopttheprecautionoffumigatingtheroom。

Inthistryingemergencyanideaoccurredtome——aninestimableideawhich，sotospeak，killedtwointrusivebirdswithonestone。IdeterminedtogetridoftheCount’stiresomeeloquence，andofLadyGlyde’stiresometroubles，bycomplyingwiththisodiousforeigner’srequest，andwritingtheletteratonce。Therewasnottheleastdangeroftheinvitationbeingaccepted，fortherewasnottheleastchancethatLaurawouldconsenttoleaveBlackwaterParkwhileMarianwaslyingthereill。HowthischarminglyconvenientobstaclecouldhaveescapedtheofficiouspenetrationoftheCount，itwasimpossibletoconceive——butithadescapedhim。Mydreadthathemightyetdiscoverit，ifIallowedhimanymoretimetothink，stimulatedmetosuchanamazingdegree，thatIstruggledintoasittingposition——seized，reallyseized，thewritingmaterialsbymyside，andproducedtheletterasrapidlyasifIhadbeenacommonclerkinanoffice。`DearestLaura，Pleasecome，wheneveryoulike。BreakthejourneybysleepinginLondonatyouraunt’shouse。GrievedtohearofdearMarian’sillness。Everaffectionatelyyours。’Ihandedtheselines，atarm’slength，totheCount——Isankbackinmychair——Isaid，`Excuseme——Iamentirelyprostrated——Icandonomore。Willyourestandlunchdownstairs？Lovetoall，andsympathy，andsoon。Goodmorning。’

Hemadeanotherspeech——themanwasabsolutelyinexhaustible。Iclosedmyeyes——Iendeavouredtohearaslittleaspossible。InspiteofmyendeavoursIwasobligedtohearagreatdeal。Mysister’sendlesshusbandcongratulatedhimself，andcongratulatedme，ontheresultofourinterview——hementionedagreatdealmoreabouthissympathiesandmine——hedeploredmymiserablehealth——heofferedtowritemeaprescription——heimpressedonmethenecessityofnotforgettingwhathehadsaidabouttheimportanceoflight——heacceptedmyobliginginvitationtorestandlunch——herecommendedmetoexpectLadyGlydeintwoorthreedays’time——hebeggedmypermissiontolookforwardtoournextmeeting，insteadofpaininghimselfandpainingme，bysayingfarewell——headdedagreatdealmore，which，Irejoicetothink，Ididnotattendtoatthetime，anddonotremembernow。Iheardhissympatheticvoicetravellingawayfrommebydegrees——but，largeashewas，Ineverheardhim。Hehadthenegativemeritofbeingabsolutelynoiseless。Idon’tknowwhenheopenedthedoor，orwhenheshutit。Iventuredtomakeuseofmyeyesagain，afteranintervalofsilence——andhewasgone。

IrangforLouis，andretiredtomybathroom。Tepidwater，strengthenedwitharomaticvinegar，formyself，andcopiousfumigationformystudy，weretheobviousprecautionstotake，andofcourseIadoptedthem。Irejoicetosaytheyprovedsuccessful。Ienjoyedmycustomarysiesta。Iawokemoistandcool。

MyfirstinquirieswerefortheCount。Hadwereallygotridofhim？Yes——hehadgoneawaybytheafternoontrain。Hadhelunched，andifso，uponwhat？Entirelyuponfruit-tartandcream。Whataman！Whatadigestion！

AmIexpectedtosayanythingmore？Ibelievenot。IbelieveIhavereachedthelimitsassignedtome。Theshockingcircumstanceswhichhappenedatalaterperioddidnot，Iamthankfultosay，happeninmypresence。Idobegandentreatthatnobodywillbesoveryunfeelingastolayanypartoftheblameofthosecircumstancesonme。Idideverythingforthebest。Iamnotanswerableforadeplorablecalamity，whichitwasquiteimpossibletoforesee。Iamshatteredbyit——Ihavesufferedunderit，asnobodyelsehassuffered。Myservant，Louis(whoisreallyattachedtomeinhisunintelligentway)，thinksIshallnevergetoverit。Heseesmedictatingatthismoment，withmyhandkerchieftomyeyes。Iwishtomention，injusticetomyself，thatitwasnotmyfault，andthatIamquiteexhaustedandheartbroken。NeedIsaymore？

THESTORYCONTINUEDBYELIZAMICHELSON(HousekeeperatBlackwaterPark)

IAMaskedtostateplainlywhatIknowoftheprogressofMissHalcombe’sillnessandofthecircumstancesunderwhichLadyGlydeleftBlackwaterParkforLondon。

Thereasongivenformakingthisdemandonmeis，thatmytestimonyiswantedintheinterestsoftruth。AsthewidowofaclergymanoftheChurchofEngland(reducedbymisfortunetothenecessityofacceptingasituation)，Ihavebeentaughttoplacetheclaimsoftruthaboveallotherconsiderations。IthereforecomplywitharequestwhichImightotherwise。throughreluctancetoconnectmyselfwithdistressingfamilyaffairs，havehesitatedtogrant。

Imadenomemorandumatthetime，andIcannotthereforebesuretoadayofthedate，butIbelieveIamcorrectinstatingthatMissHalcombe’sseriousillnessbeganduringthelastfortnightortendaysinJune。ThebreakfasthourwaslateatBlackwaterPark——sometimesaslateasten，neverearlierthanhalf-pastnine。OnthemorningtowhichIamnowreferring，MissHalcombe(whowasusuallythefirsttocomedown)didnotmakeherappearanceatthetable。Afterthefamilyhadwaitedaquarterofanhour，theupperhousemaidwassenttoseeafterher，andcamerunningoutoftheroomdreadfullyfrightened。Imettheservantonthestairs，andwentatoncetoMissHalcombetoseewhatwasthematter。Thepoorladywasincapableoftellingme。Shewaswalkingaboutherroomwithapeninherhand，quitelightheaded，inastateofburningfever。

LadyGlyde(beingnolongerinSirPercival’sservice，Imay，withoutimpropriety，mentionmyformermistressbyhername，insteadofcallinghermylady)wasthefirsttocomeinfromherownbedroom。Shewassodreadfullyalarmedanddistressedthatshewasquiteuseless。TheCountFosco，andhislady，whocameupstairsimmediatelyafterwards，werebothmostserviceableandkind。HerladyshipassistedmetogetMissHalcombetoherbed。HislordshiptheCountremainedinthesitting-room，andhavingsentformymedicine-chest，madeamixtureforMissHalcombe，andacoolinglotiontobeappliedtoherhead，soastolosenotimebeforethedoctorcame。Weappliedthelotion，butwecouldnotgethertotakethemixture。SirPercivalundertooktosendforthedoctor。Hedespatchedagroom，onhorseback，forthenearestmedicalman，MrDawson，ofOakLodge。

MrDawsonarrivedinlessthananhour’stime。Hewasarespectableelderlyman，wellknownallroundthecountry，andweweremuchalarmedwhenwefoundthatheconsideredthecasetobeaveryseriousone。

HislordshiptheCountaffablyenteredintoconversationwithMrDawson，andgavehisopinionswithajudiciousfreedom。MrDawson，notover-courteously，inquiredifhislordship’sadvicewastheadviceofadoctor，andbeinginformedthatitwastheadviceofonewhohadstudiedmedicineunprofessionally，repliedthathewasnotaccustomedtoconsultwithamateurphysicians。TheCount，withtrulyChristianmeeknessoftemper，smiledandlefttheroom。Beforehewentouthetoldmethathemightbefound，incasehewaswantedinthecourseoftheday，attheboat-houseonthebanksofthelake。Whyheshouldhavegonethere，Icannotsay。Buthedidgo，remainingawaythewholedaytillseveno’clock，whichwasdinner-time。Perhapshewishedtosettheexampleofkeepingthehouseasquietaspossible。Itwasentirelyinhischaractertodoso。Hewasamostconsideratenobleman。

MissHalcombepassedaverybadnight，thefevercomingandgoing，andgettingworsetowardsthemorninginsteadofbetter。Nonursefittowaitonherbeingathandintheneighbourhood，herladyshiptheCountessandmyselfundertooktheduty，relievingeachother。LadyGlyde，mostunwisely，insistedonsittingupwithus。ShewasmuchtoonervousandtoodelicateinhealthtobeartheanxietyofMissHalcombe’sillnesscalmly。Sheonlydidherselfharm，withoutbeingoftheleastrealassistance。Amoregentleandaffectionateladyneverlived——butshecried，andshewasfrightened，twoweaknesseswhichmadeherentirelyunfittobepresentinasick-room。

SirPercivalandtheCountcameinthemorningtomaketheirinquiries。

SirPercival(fromdistress。Ipresume，athislady’saffliction。andatHissHalcombe’sillness)appearedmuchconfusedandunsettledinhismind。Hislordshiptestified，onthecontrary，abecomingcomposureandinterest。Hehadhisstrawhatinonehand，andhisbookintheother，andhementionedtoSirPercivalinmyhearingthathewouldgooutagainandstudyatthelake。`Letuskeepthehousequiet，’hesaid。`Letusnotsmokeindoors，myfriend，nowMissHalcombeisill。Yougoyourway，andIwillgomine。WhenIstudyIliketobealone。Goodmorning，MrsMichelson。’

SirPercivalwasnotcivilenough——perhapsIoughtinjusticetosay，notcomposedenough——totakeleaveofmewiththesamePoliteattention。Theonlypersoninthehouse，indeed，whotreatedme，atthattimeoratanyother，onthefootingofaladyindistressedcircumstances，wastheCount。Hehadthemannersofatruenobleman——hewasconsideratetowardseveryone。Eventheyoungperson(Fannybyname)whoattendedonLadyGlydewasnotbeneathhisnotice。WhenshewassentawaybySirPercival，hislordship(showingmehissweetlittlebirdsatthetime)wasmostkindlyanxioustoknowwhathadbecomeofher，whereshewastogothedaysheleftBlackwaterPark，andsoon。Itisinsuchlittledelicateattentionsthattheadvantagesofaristocraticbirthalwaysshowthemselves。Imakenoapologyforintroducingtheseparticulars——theyarebroughtforwardinjusticetohislordship，whosecharacter，Ihavereasontoknow，isviewedratherharshlyincertainquarters。Anoblemanwhocanrespectaladyindistressedcircumstances，andcantakeafatherlyinterestinthefortunesofanhumbleservantgirl，showsprinciplesandfeelingsoftoohighanordertobelightlycalledinquestion。Iadvancenoopinions——Iofferfactsonly。MyendeavourthroughlifeistojudgenotthatIbenotjudged。Oneofmybelovedhusband’sfinestsermonswasonthattext。Ireaditconstantly——inmyowncopyoftheeditionprintedbysubscription，inthefirstdaysofmywidowhood——andateveryfreshperusalIderiveanincreaseofspiritualbenefitandedification。

TherewasnoimprovementinMissHalcombe，andthesecondnightwasevenworsethanthefirst。MrDawsonwasconstantinhisattendance。ThepracticaldutiesofnursingwerestilldividedbetweentheCountessandmyself，LadyGlydepersistinginsittingupwithus，thoughwebothentreatedhertotakesomerest。`MyplaceisbyMarian’sbedside，’washeronlyanswer。`WhetherIamill，orwell，nothingwillinducemetolosesightofher。’

TowardsmiddayIwentdownstairstoattendtosomeofmyregularduties。Anhourafterwards，onmywaybacktothesickroom，IsawtheCount(whohadgoneoutagainearly，forthethirdtime)enteringthehall，toallappearanceinthehighestgoodspirits。SirPercival，atthesamemoment，puthisheadoutofthelibrarydoor，andaddressedhisnoblefriend，withextremeeagerness，inthesewords——

`Haveyoufoundher？’

Hislordship’slargefacebecamedimpledalloverwithplacidsmiles，buthemadenoreplyinwords。AtthesametimeSirPercivalturnedhishead，observedthatIwasapproachingthestairs，andlookedatmeinthemostrudelyangrymannerpossible

`Comeinhereandtellmeaboutit，’hesaidtotheCount。`Whenevertherearewomeninahousethey’realwayssuretobegoingupordownstairs。’

`MydearPercival，’observedhislordshipkindly，`MrsMichelsonhasduties。PrayrecogniseheradmirableperformanceofthemassincerelyasIdo！Howisthesufferer，MrsMichelson？’

`Nobetter，mylord，Iregrettosay。’

`Sad——mostsad！’remarkedtheCount。`Youlookfatigued，MrsMichelson。Itiscertainlytimeyouandmywifehadsomehelpinnursing。IthinkImaybethemeansofofferingyouthathelp。CircumstanceshavehappenedwhichwillobligeMadameFoscototraveltoLondoneithertomorroworthedayafter。Shewillgoawayinthemorningandreturnatnight，andshewillbringbackwithher，torelieveyou，anurseofexcellentconductandcapacity，whoisnowdisengaged。Thewomanisknowntomywifeasapersontobetrusted。Beforeshecomesheresaynothingabouther，ifyouplease，tothedoctor，becausehewilllookwithanevileyeonanynurseofmyproviding。Whensheappearsinthishouseshewillspeakforherself，andMrDawsonwillbeobligedtoacknowledgethatthereisnoexcusefornotemployingher。LadyGlydewillsaythesame。PraypresentmybestrespectsandsympathiestoLadyGlyde。’

Iexpressedmygratefulacknowledgmentsforhislordship’skindconsideration。SirPercivalcutthemshortbycallingtohisnoblefriend(using，regrettosay，aprofaneexpression)tocomeintothelibrary，andnottokeephimwaitingthereanylonger。

Iproceededupstairs。Wearepoorerringcreatures，andhoweverwellestablishedawoman’sprinciplesmaybeshecannotalwayskeeponherguardagainstthetemptationtoexerciseanidlecuriosity。Iamashamedtosaythatanidlecuriosity，onthisoccasion，gotthebetterofmyprinciples，andmademeundulyinquisitiveaboutthequestionwhichSirPercivalhadaddressedtohisnoblefriendatthelibrarydoor。WhowastheCountexpectedtofindinthecourseofhisstudiousmorningramblesatBlackwaterPark？Awoman，itwastobepresumed，fromthetermsofSirPercival’sinquiry。IdidnotsuspecttheCountofanyimpropriety——Iknewhismoralcharactertoowell。TheonlyquestionIaskedmyselfwas——Hadhefoundher？

Toresume。ThenightpassedasusualwithoutproducinganychangeforthebetterinMissHalcombe。Thenextdaysheseemedtoimprovealittle。ThedayafterthatherladyshiptheCountess，withoutmentioningtheobjectofherjourneytoanyoneinmyhearing，proceededbythemorningtraintoLondon——hernoblehusband，withhiscustomaryattention，accompanyinghertothestation。

IwasnowleftinsolechargeofMissHalcombe，witheveryapparentchance，inconsequenceofhersister’sresolutionnottoleavethebedside，ofhavingLadyGlydeherselftonursenext。

TheonlycircumstanceofanyimportancethathappenedinthecourseofthedaywastheoccurrenceofanotherunpleasantmeetingbetweenthedoctorandtheCount。

Hislordship，onreturningfromthestation，steppedupintoMissHalcombe’ssitting-roomtomakehisinquiries。Iwentoutfromthebedroomtospeaktohim，MrDawsonandLadyGlydebeingbothwiththepatientatthetime。TheCountaskedmemanyquestionsaboutthetreatmentandthesymptoms。Iinformedhimthatthetreatmentwasofthekinddescribedas`saline，’andthatthesymptoms，betweentheattacksoffever，werecertainlythoseofincreasingweaknessandexhaustion。rustasIwasmentioningtheselastparticulars，MrDawsoncameoutfromthebedroom。

`Goodmorning，sir，’saidhislordship，steppingforwardinthemosturbanemanner，andstoppingthedoctor，withahigh-bredresolutionimpossibletoresist，`Igreatlyfearyoufindnoimprovementinthesymptomstoday？’

`Ifinddecidedimprovement，’answeredMrDawson。

`Youstillpersistinyourloweringtreatmentofthiscaseoffever？’continuedhislordship。

`Ipersistinthetreatmentwhichisjustifiedbymyownprofessionalexperience，’saidMrDawson。

`Permitmetoputonequestiontoyouonthevastsubjectofprofessionalexperience，’observedtheCount。`Ipresumetooffernomoreadvice——Ionlypresumetomakeaninquiry。Youliveatsomedistance，sir，fromthegiganticcentresofscientificactivity——LondonandParis。Haveyoueverheardofthewastingeffectsoffeverbeingreasonablyandintelligiblyrepairedbyfortifyingtheexhaustedpatientwithbrandy，wine，ammonia，andquinine？Hasthatnewheresyofthehighestmedicalauthoritieseverreachedyourears——Yesorno？’

`WhenaprofessionalmanputsthatquestiontomeIshallbegladtoanswerhim，’saidthedoctor，openingthedoortogoout。`Youarenotaprofessionalman，andIbegtodeclineansweringyou。’

Buffetedinthisinexcusablyuncivilwayononecheek，theCount，likeapracticalChristian，immediatelyturnedtheother，andsaid，inthesweetestmanner，`Goodmorning，MrDawson。’

Ifmylatebelovedhusbandhadbeensofortunateastoknowhislordship，howhighlyheandtheCountwouldhaveesteemedeachother！

HerladyshiptheCountessreturnedbythelasttrainthatnight，andbroughtwithherthenursefromLondon。Iwasinstructedthatthisperson’snamewasMrsRubelle。Herpersonalappearance，andherimperfectEnglishwhenshespoke，informedmethatshewasaforeigner。

Ihavealwayscultivatedafeelingofhumaneindulgenceforforeigners。Theydonotpossessourblessingsandadvantages，andtheyare，forthemostpart，broughtupintheblinderrorsofPopery。Ithasalsoalwaysbeenmypreceptandpractice，asitwasmydearhusband’spreceptandpracticebeforeme(seeSermonxxix，intheCollectionbythelateRev。SamuelMichelson，M。A。)，todoasIwouldbedoneby。OnboththeseaccountsIwillnotsaythatMrsRubellestruckmeasbeingasmall，wiry，slyperson，offiftyorthereabouts，withadarkbrownorCreolecomplexionandwatchfullightgreyeyes。NorwillImention，forthereasonsjustalleged，thatIthoughtherdress，thoughitwasoftheplainestblacksilk，inappropriatelycostlyintextureandunnecessarilyrefinedintrimmingandfinish，forapersoninherpositioninlife。Ishouldnotlikethesethingstobesaidofme，andthereforeitismydutynottosaythemofMrsRubelle。Iwillmerelymentionthathermannerswere，notperhapsunpleasantlyreserved，butonlyremarkablyquietandretiring——thatshelookedaboutheragreatdeal，andsaidverylittle，whichmighthavearisenquiteasmuchfromherownmodestyasfromdistrustofherpositionatBlackwaterPark；andthatshedeclinedtopartakeofsupper(whichwascuriousperhaps，butsurelynotsuspicious？)，althoughImyselfpolitelyinvitedhertothatmealinmyownroom。

AttheCount’sparticularsuggestion(solikehislordship’sforgivingkindness！)，itwasarrangedthatMrsRubelleshouldnotenteronherdutiesuntilshehadbeenseenandapprovedbythedoctorthenextmorning。Isatupthatnight。LadyGlydeappearedtobeveryunwillingthatthenewnurseshouldbeemployedtoattendonMissHalcombe。Suchwantofliberalitytowardsaforeigneronthepartofaladyofhereducationandrefinementsurprisedme。Iventuredtosay，`Mylady，wemustallremembernottobehastyinourjudgmentsonourinferiors——especiallywhentheycomefromforeignparts。’LadyGlydedidnotappeartoattendtome。Sheonlysighed，andkissedMissHalcombe’shandasitlayonthecounterpane。Scarcelyajudiciousproceedinginasick-room，withapatientwhomitwashighlydesirablenottoexcite。ButpoorLadyGlydeknewnothingofnursing——nothingwhatever，Iamsorrytosay。

ThenextmorningMrsRubellewassenttothesitting-room，tobeapprovedbythedoctoronhiswaythroughtothebedroom。

IleftLadyGlydewithMissHalcombe，whowasslumberingatthetime，andjoinedMrsRubelle，withtheobjectofkindlypreventingherfromfeelingstrangeandnervousinconsequenceoftheuncertaintyofhersituation。Shedidnotappeartoseeitinthatlight。Sheseemedtobequitesatisfied，beforehand，thatMrDawsonwouldapproveofher，andshesatcalmlylookingoutofwindow，witheveryappearanceofenjoyingthecountryair。Somepeoplemighthavethoughtsuchconductsuggestiveofbrazenassurance。IbegtosaythatImoreliberallysetitdowntoextraordinarystrengthofmind。

Insteadofthedoctorcominguptous，Iwassentfortoseethedoctor。Ithoughtthischangeofaffairsratherodd，butMrsRubelledidnotappealtobeaffectedbyitinanyway。Ileftherstillcalmlylookingoutofthewindow，andstillsilentlyenjoyingthecountryair。

MrDawsonwaswaitingformebyhimselfinthebreakfast-room。

`Aboutthisnewnurse，MrsMichelson，’saidthedoctor。

`Yes，sir？’

`IfindthatshehasbeenbroughtherefromLondonbythewifeofthatfatoldforeigner，whoisalwaystryingtointerferewithme。MrsMichelson，thefatoldforeignerisaquack。’

Thiswasveryrude。Iwasnaturallyshockedatit。

`Areyouaware，sir，’Isaid，`thatyouaretalkingofanobleman？’

`Pooh！Heisn’tthefirstquackwithahandletohisname。They’reallCounts——hang’em！’

`HewouldnotbeafriendofSirPercivalGlyde’ssir，ifhewasnotamemberofthehighestaristocracy——exceptingtheEnglisharistocracy，ofcourse。’

`Verywell，MrsMichelson，callhimwhatyoulike，andletusgetbacktothenurse。Ihavebeenobjectingtoheralready。’

`Withouthavingseenher，sir？’

`Yes，withouthavingseenher。Shemaybethebestnurseinexistence，butsheisnotanurseofmyproviding。IhaveputthatobjectiontoSirPercival，asthemasterofthehouse。Hedoesn’tsupportme。HesaysanurseofmyprovidingwouldhavebeenastrangerfromLondonalso，andhethinksthewomanoughttohaveatrial，afterhiswife’saunthastakenthetroubletofetchherfromLondon。Thereissomejusticeinthat。andIcan’tdecentlysayNo。ButIhavemadeitaconditionthatsheistogoatonce，ifIfindreasontocomplainofher。ThisproposalbeingonewhichIhavesomerighttomake，asmedicalattendant，SirPercivalhasconsentedtoit。Now，MrsMichelson，IknowIcandependonyou。andIwantyoutokeepasharpeyeonthenurseforthefirstdayortwo，andtoseethatshegivesMissHalcombenomedicinesbutmine。Thisforeignnoblemanofyoursisdyingtotryhisquackremedies(mesmerismincluded)onmypatient，andanursewhoisbroughtherebyhiswifemaybealittletoowillingtohelphim。Youunderstand？Verywell，then，wemaygoupstairs。Isthenursethere？I’llsayawordtoherbeforeshegoesintothesick-room。’

WefoundMissRubellestillenjoyingherselfatthewindow。WhenIintroducedhertoMrDawson，neitherthedoctor’sdoubtfullooksnorthedoctorssearchingquestionsappearedtoconfuseherintheleast。SheansweredhimquietlyinherbrokenEnglish，andthoughhetriedhardtopuzzleher，sheneverbetrayedtheleastignorance，sofar，aboutanypartofherduties。Thiswasdoubtlesstheresultofstrengthofmind，asIsaidbefore，andnotofbrazenassurance，byanymeans。

Weallwentintothebedroom。

MrsRubellelookedveryattentivelyatthepatient，curtseyedtoLadyGlyde，setoneortwolittlethingsrightintheroom，andsatdownquietlyinacornertowaituntilshewaswanted。Herladyshipseemedstartledandannoyedbytheappearanceofthestrangenurse。Noonesaidanything，forfearofrousingMissHalcombe，whowasstillslumbering，exceptthedoctor，whowhisperedaquestionaboutthenight。Isoftlyanswered，`Muchasusual，’andthenMrDawsonwentout。LadyGlydefollowedhim，IsupposetospeakaboutMrsRubelle。Formyownpart，Ihadmadeupmymindalreadythatthisquietforeignpersonwouldkeephersituation。Shehadallherwitsabouther，andshecertainlyunderstoodherbusiness。Sofar，Icouldhardlyhavedonemuchbetterbythebedsidemyself。

RememberingMrDawson’scautiontome，IsubjectedMrsRubelletoaseverescrutinyatcertainintervalsforthenextthreeorfourdays-Ioverandoveragainenteredtheroomsoftlyandsuddenly，butIneverfoundheroutinanysuspiciousaction。LadyGlyde，whowatchedherasattentivelyasIdid，discoverednothingeither。Ineverdetectedasignofthemedicinebottlesbeingtamperedwith，IneversawMrsRubellesayawordtotheCount，ortheCounttoher。ShemanagedMissHalcombewithunquestionablecareanddiscretion-Thepoorladywaveredbackwardsandforwardsbetweenasortofsleepyexhaustion，whichwashalffaintnessandhalfslumbering，andattacksoffeverwhichbroughtwiththemmoreorlessofwanderinginhermind。MrsRubelleneverdisturbedherinthefirstcase，andneverstartledherinthesecond，byappearingtoosuddenlyatthebedsideinthecharacterofastranger。Honourtowhomhonourisdue(whetherforeignorEnglish)——andIgiveherprivilegeimpartiallytoMrsRubelle。Shewasremarkablyuncommunicativeaboutherself，andshewastooquietlyindependentofalladvicefromexperiencedpersonswhounderstoodthedutiesofasickroom——butwiththesedrawbacks，shewasagoodnurse，andshenevergaveeitherLadyGlydeorMrDawsontheshadowofareasonforcomplainingofher。

ThenextcircumstanceofimportancethatoccurredinthehousewasthetemporaryabsenceoftheCount，occasionedbybusinesswhichtookhimtoLondon。Hewentaway(Ithink)onthemorningofthefourthdayafterthearrivalofMrsRubelle，andatpartinghespoketoLadyGlydeveryseriously，inmypresence，onthesubjectofMissHalcombe。

`TrustMrDawson，’hesaid，`forafewdaysmore，ifyouplease。Butifthereisnotsomechangeforthebetterinthattime，sendforadvicefromLondon，whichthismuleofadoctormustacceptinspiteofhimself。OffendMrDawson，andsaveMissHalcombe。Isaythisseriously，onmywordofhonourandfromthebottomofmyheart。’

Hislordshipspokewithextremefeelingandkindness。ButpoorLadyGlyde’snervesweresocompletelybrokendownthatsheseemedquitefrightenedathim。Shetrembledfromheadtofoot，andallowedhimtotakehisleavewithoututteringawordonherside。Sheturnedtomewhenhehadgone，andsaid，`Oh，MrsMichelson，Iamheart-brokenaboutmysister，andIhavenofriendtoadviseme！DoyouthinkMrDawsoniswrong？Hetoldmehimselfthismorningthattherewasnofear，andnoneedtosendforanotherdoctor。’

`WithallrespecttoMrDawson，Ianswered，`inyourladyship’splaceIshouldremembertheCount’sadvice。’

LadyGlydeturnedawayfrommesuddenly，withanappearanceofdespair，forwhichIwasquiteunabletoaccount。

`Hisadvice！’shesaidtoherself。`Godhelpus——hisadvice！’

TheCountwasawayfromBlackwaterPark，asnearlyasIremember，aweek。

SirPercivalseemedtofeelthelossofhislordshipinvariousways，andappearedalso，Ithought，muchdepressedandalteredbythesicknessandsorrowinthehouse。OccasionallyhewassoveryrestlessthatIcouldnothelpnoticingit，comingandgoing，andwanderinghereandthereandeverywhereinthegrounds。HisinquiriesaboutMissHalcombe，andabouthislady(whosefailinghealthseemedtocausehimsincereanxiety)，weremostattentive。Ithinkhisheartwasmuchsoftened。Ifsomekindclericalfriend——somesuchfriendashemighthavefoundinmylateexcellenthusband——hadbeennearhimatthistime，cheeringmoralprogressmighthavebeenmadewithSirPercival。Iseldomfindmyselfmistakenonapointofthissort，havinghadexperiencetoguidemeinmyhappymarrieddays。

HerladyshiptheCountess，whowasnowtheonlycompanyforSirPercivaldownstairs，ratherneglectedhim，asIconsidered——or，perhaps，itmighthavebeenthatheneglectedher。Astrangermightalmosthavesupposedthattheywerebent，nowtheywerelefttogetheralone，onactuallyavoidingoneanother。This，ofcourse，couldnotbe。Butitdidsohappen，nevertheless，thattheCountessmadeherdinneratluncheon-time，andthatshealwayscameupstairstowardsevening，althoughMrsRubellehadtakenthenursingdutiesentirelyoffherhands。SirPercivaldinedbyhimself，andWilliam(themanoutoflivery)，madetheremark，inmyhearing，thathismasterhadputhimselfonhalfrationsoffoodandonadoubleallowanceofdrink。Iattachnoimportancetosuchaninsolentobservationasthisonthepartofaservant。Ireprobateditatthetime，andIwishtobeunderstoodasreprobatingitoncemoreonthisoccasion。

InthecourseofthenextfewdaysMissHalcombedidcertainlyseemtoallofustobemendingalittle。OurfaithinMrDawsonrevived。Heappearedtobeveryconfidentaboutthecase，andheassuredLadyGlyde，whenshespoketohimonthesubject，thathewouldhimselfproposetosendforaphysicianthemomenthefeltsomuchastheshadowofadoubtcrossinghisownmind。

TheonlypersonamonguswhodidnotappeartoberelievedbythesewordswastheCountess。Shesaidtomeprivately，thatshecouldnotfeeleasyaboutMissHalcombeonMrDawson’sauthority，andthatsheshouldwaitanxiouslyforherhusband’sopiniononhisreturn。Thatreturn，hislettersinformedher，wouldtakeplaceinthreedays’time。TheCountandCountesscorrespondedregularlyeverymorningduringhislordship’sabsence。Theywereinthatrespect，asinallothers，apatterntomarriedpeople。

OntheeveningofthethirddayInoticedachangeinMissHalcombe，whichcausedmeseriousapprehension。MrsRubellenoticedittoo。WesaidnothingonthesubjecttoLadyGlyde，whowasthenlyingasleep，completelyoverpoweredbyexhaustion，onthesofainthesitting-room。

MrDawsondidnotPayhiseveningvisittilllaterthanusual。AssoonasheseteyesonhispatientIsawhisfacealter。Hetriedtohideit，buthelookedbothconfusedandalarmed。Amessengerwassenttohisresidenceforhismedicine-chest，disinfectingpreparationswereusedintheroom，andabedwasmadeupforhiminthehousebyhisowndirections。`Hasthefeverturnedtoinfection？’Iwhisperedtohim。`Iamafraidithas，’heanswered，`weshallknowbettertomorrowmorning。’

ByMrDawson’sowndirectionsLadyGlydewaskeptinignoranceofthischangefortheworse。Hehimselfabsolutelyforbadeher，onaccountofherhealth，tojoinusinthebedroomthatnight。Shetriedtoresist——therewasasadscene——buthehadhismedicalauthoritytosupporthim，andhecarriedhispoint。

Thenextmorningoneoftheman-servantswassenttoLondonateleveno’clock，withalettertoaphysicianintown，andwithorderstobringthenewdoctorbackwithhimbytheearliestpossibletrain。HalfanhourafterthemessengerhadgonetheCountreturnedtoBlackwaterPark。

TheCountess，onherownresponsibility，immediatelybroughthimintoseethepatient。TherewasnoimproprietythatIcoulddiscoverinhertakingthiscourse。Hislordshipwasamarriedman，hewasoldenoughtobeMissHalcombe’sfather，andhesawherinthepresenceofafemalerelative，LadyGlyde’saunt。MrDawsonneverthelessprotestedagainsthispresenceintheroom，butIcouldplainlyremarkthedoctorwastoomuchalarmedtomakeanyseriousresistanceonthisoccasion。

Thepoorsufferingladywaspastknowinganyoneabouther。Sheseemedtotakeherfriendsforenemies。WhentheCountapproachedherbedsidehereyes，whichhadbeenwanderingincessantlyroundandroundtheroot，:before，settledonhisfacewithadreadfulstareofterror，whichIshallremembertomydyingday。TheCountsatdownbyher，feltherpulseandhertemples，lookedatherveryattentively，andthenturnedrounduponthedoctorwithsuchanexpressionofindignationandcontemptinhisface，thatthewordsfailedonMrDawson’slips，andhestoodforamoment，palewithangerandalarm——paleandperfectlyspeechless。

Hislordshiplookednextatme。

`Whendidthechangehappen？’heasked。

Itoldhimthetime。

`HasLadyGlydebeenintheroomsince？’

Irepliedthatshehadnot。Thedoctorhadabsolutelyforbiddenhertocomeintotheroomontheeveningbefore，andhadrepeatedtheorderagaininthemorning。

`HaveyouandMrsRubellebeenmadeawareofthefullextentofthemischief？’washisnextquestion。

Wewereaware，Ianswered，thatthemaladywasconsideredinfectious。HestoppedmebeforeIcouldaddanythingmore。

`Itistyphusfever，’hesaid。

Intheminutethatpassed，whilethesequestionsandanswersweregoingon，MrDawsonrecoveredhimself，andaddressedtheCountwithhiscustomaryfirmness。

`Itisnottyphusfever，’heremarkedsharply。`Iprotestagainstthisintrusion，sir。Noonehasarighttoputquestionsherebutme。Ihavedonemydutytothebestofmyability——’

TheCountinterruptedhim——notbywords，butonlybypointingtothebed。MrDawsonseemedtofeelthatsilentcontradictiontohisassertionofhisownability，andtogrowonlythemoreangryunderit。

`IsayIhavedonemyduty，’hereiterated。`AphysicianhasbeensentforfromLondon。Iwillconsultonthenatureofthefeverwithhim，andwithnooneelse。Iinsistonyourleavingtheroom。’

`Ienteredthisroom，sir，inthesacredinterestsofhumanity，’saidtheCount。`Andinthesameinterests，ifthecomingofthephysicianisdelayed，Iwillenteritagain。Iwarnyouoncemorethatthefeverhasturnedtotyphus，andthatyourtreatmentisresponsibleforthislamentablechange。Ifthatunhappyladydies，Iwillgivemytestimonyinacourtofjusticethatyourignoranceandobstinacyhavebeenthecauseofherdeath。’

BeforeMrDawsoncouldanswer，beforetheCountcouldleaveus，thedoorwasopenedfromthesitting-room，andwesawLadyGlydeonthethreshold。

`Imustandwillcomein，’shesaid，withextraordinaryfirmness。

insteadofstoppingher，theCountmovedintothesitting-room，andmadewayforhertogoin。Onallotheroccasionshewasthelastmanintheworldtoforgetany-thing，butinthesurpriseofthemomentheapparentlyforgotthedangerofinfectionfromtyphus，andtheurgentnecessityofforcingLadyGlydetotakepropercareofherself。

TomyastonishmentMrDawsonshowedmorepresenceofmind。Hestoppedherladyshipatthefirststepshetooktowardsthebedside。`Iamsincerelysorry，Iamsincerelygrieved，’hesaid。`Thefevermay，Ifear，beinfectious。untilIamcertainthatitisnot，Ientreatyoutokeepoutoftheroom。’

Shestruggledforamoment，thensuddenlydroppedherarmsandsankforward。Shehadfainted。TheCountessandItookherfromthedoctorandcarriedherintoherownroom。TheCountprecededus，andwaitedinthepassagetillIcameoutandtoldhimthatwehadrecoveredherfromtheswoon。

Iwentbacktothedoctortotellhim，byLadyGlyde’sdesire，thatsheinsistedonspeakingtohimimmediatelyHewithdrewatoncetoquietherladyship’sagitation，andtoassureherofthephysician’sarrivalinthecourseofafewhours。Thosehourspassedveryslowly。SirPercivalandtheCountweretogetherdownstairs，andsentupfromtimetotimetomaketheirinquiries。Atlast，betweenfiveandsixo’clock，toourgreatrelief，thephysiciancame。

HewasayoungermanthanMrDawson，veryseriousandverydecided。WhathethoughtoftheprevioustreatmentIcannotsay，butitstruckmeascuriousthatheputmanymorequestionstomyselfandtoMrsRubellethanheputtothedoctor，andthathedidnotappeartolistenwithmuchinteresttowhatMrDawsonsaid，whilehewasexaminingMrDawson’spatient。Ibegantosuspect，fromwhatIobservedinthisway，thattheCounthadbeenrightabouttheillnessallthewaythrough，andIwasnaturallyconfirmedinthatideawhenMrDawson，aftersomelittledelay，askedtheoneimportantquestionwhichtheLondondoctorhadbeensentfortosetatrest。

`Whatisyouropinionofthefever？’heinquired。

`Typhus，’repliedthephysician。`Typhusfeverbeyondalldoubt。’

Thatquietforeignperson，MrsRubelle，crossedherthinbrownhandsinfrontofher，andlookedatmewithaverysignificantsmile。TheCounthimselfcouldhardlyhaveappearedmoregratifiedifhehadbeenpresentintheroomandhadheardtheconfirmationofhisownopinion。

Aftergivingussomeusefuldirectionsaboutthemanagementofthepatient，andmentioningthathewouldcomeagaininfivedays’time，thephysicianwithdrewtoconsultinprivatewithMrDawson。HewouldoffernoopiniononMissHalcombe’schancesofrecovery——hesaiditwasimpossibleatthatstageoftheillnesstopronounceonewayortheother。

Thefivedayspassedanxiously。

CountessFoscoandmyselftookitbyturnstorelieveMrsRubelle，MissHalcombe’sconditiongrowingworseandworse，andrequiringourutmostcareandattention。Itwasaterriblytryingtime。LadyGlyde(supported，asMrDawsonsaid，bytheconstantstrainofhersuspenseonhersister’saccount)ralliedinthemostextraordinarymanner，andshowedafirmnessanddeterminationforwhichIshouldmyselfneverhavegivenhercredit。Sheinsistedoncomingintothesick-roomtwoorthreetimeseveryday，tolookatMissHalcombewithherowneyes，promisingnottogotooclosetothebed，ifthedoctorwouldconsenttoherwishessofar。MrDawsonveryunwillinglymadetheconcessionrequiredofhim——Ithinkhesawthatitwashopelesstodisputewithher。Shecameineveryday，andsheself-denyinglykeptherpromise。Ifeltitpersonallysodistressing(asremindingmeofmyownafflictionduringmyhusband’slastillness)toseehowshesufferedunderthesecircumstances，thatImustbegnottodwellonthispartofthesubjectanylonger。ItismoreagreeabletometomentionthatnofreshdisputestookplacebetweenMrDawsonandtheCount。Hislordshipmadeallhisinquiriesbydeputy，andremainedcontinuallyincompanywithSirPercivaldownstairs。

Onthefifthdaythephysiciancameagainandgaveusalittlehope。Hesaidthetenthdayfromthefirstappearanceofthetyphuswouldprobablydecidetheresultoftheillness，andhearrangedforhisthirdvisittotakeplaceonthatdate。Theintervalpassedasbefore——exceptthattheCountwenttoLondonagainonemorningandreturnedatnight。

OnthetenthdayitpleasedamercifulProvidencetorelieveourhouseholdfromallfurtheranxietyandalarm。ThephysicianpositivelyassuredusthatMissHalcombewasoutofdanger。`Shewantsnodoctornow——allsherequiresiscarefulwatchingandnursingforsometimetocome，andthatIseeshehas。’Thosewerehisownwords。ThateveningIreadmyhusband’stouchingsermononRecoveryfromSickness，withmorehappinessandadvantage(inaspiritualpointofview)thanIeverremembertohavederivedfromitbefore。

TheeffectofthegoodnewsonpoorLadyGlydewas，Igrievetosay，quiteoverpowering。Shewastooweaktobeartheviolentreaction，andinanotherdayortwoshesankintoastateofdebilityanddepressionwhichobligedhertokeepherroom。Restandquiet，andchangeofairafterwards，werethebestremedieswhichMrDawsoncouldsuggestforherbenefit。Itwasfortunatethatmatterswerenoworse，for，ontheverydayaftershetooktoherroom，theCountandthedoctorhadanotherdisagreement——andthistimethedisputebetweenthemwasofsoseriousanaturethatMrDawsonleftthehouse。

Iwasnotpresentatthetime，butIunderstoodthatthesubjectofdisputewastheamountofnourishmentwhichitwasnecessarytogivetoassistMissHalcombe’sconvalescenceaftertheexhaustionofthefever。MrDawson，nowthathispatientwassafe，waslessinclinedthanevertosubmittounprofessionalinterference，andtheCount(Icannotimaginewhy)lostalltheself-controlwhichhehadsojudiciouslypreservedonformeroccasions，andtauntedthedoctor，overandoveragain，withhismistakeaboutthefeverwhenitchangedtotyphus。TheunfortunateaffairendedinMrDawson’sappealingtoSirPercival，andthreatening(nowthathecouldleavewithoutabsolutedangertoMissHalcombe)towithdrawfromhisattendanceatBlackwaterParkiftheCount’sinterferencewasnotperemptorilysuppressedfromthatmoment。SirPercival’sreply(thoughnotdesignedlyuncivil)hadonlyresultedinmakingmattersworse，andMrDawsonhadthereuponwithdrawnfromthehouseinastateofextremeindignationatCountFosco’susageofhim，andhadsentinhishillthenextmorning。

Wewerenow，therefore，leftwithouttheattendanceofamedicalman。Althoughtherewasnoactualnecessityforanotherdoctor——nursingandwatchingbeing，asthephysicianhadobserved，allthatMissHalcomberequired——Ishouldstill，ifmyauthorityhadbeenconsulted，haveobtainedprofessionalassistancefromsomeotherquarter，forform’ssake。

ThematterdidnotseemtostrikeSirPercivalinthatlight。HesaiditwouldbetimeenoughtosendforanotherdoctorifMissHalcombeshowedanysignsofarelapse。InthemeanwhilewehadtheCounttoconsultinanyminordifficulty，andweneednotunnecessarilydisturbourpatientinherpresentweakandnervousconditionbythepresenceofastrangeratherbedside。Therewasmuchthatwasreasonable，nodoubt，intheseconsiderations，buttheyleftmealittleanxiousnevertheless。NorwasIquitesatisfiedinmyownmindoftheproprietyofourconcealingthedoctor’sabsenceaswedidfromLadyGlyde。Itwasamercifuldeception，Iadmit——forshewasinnostatetobearanyfreshanxieties。Butstillitwasadeceptionand，assuch，toapersonofmyprinciples，atbestadoubtfulproceeding。

Asecondperplexingcircumstancewhichhappenedonthesameday，andwhichtookmecompletelybysurprise，addedgreatlytothesenseofuneasinessthatwasnowweighingonmymind。

IwassentfortoseeSirPercivalinthelibrary。TheCount，whowaswithhimwhenIwentinimmediatelyroseandleftusalonetogether。SirPercivalcivillyaskedmetotakeaseat，andthen，tomygreatastonishment，addressedmeintheseterms——

`Iwanttospeaktoyou，MrsMichelson，aboutamatterwhichIdecidedonsometimeago，andwhichIshouldhavementionedbefore，butforthesicknessandtroubleinthehouse-Inplainwords，Ihavereasonsforwishingtobreakupmyestablishmentimmediatelyatthisplace——leavingyouincharge，ofcourse，asusual。AssoonasLadyGlydeandMissHalcombecantraveltheymustbothhavechangeofair。Myfriends，CountFoscoandtheCountess，willleaveusbeforethattimetoliveintheneighbourhoodofLondon，andIhavereasonsfornotopeningthehousetoanymorecompany，withaviewtoeconomisingascarefullyasIcan。Idon’tblameyou，butmyexpenseshereareagreatdealtooheavy。Inshort，Ishallsellthehorses，andgetridofalltheservantsatonce。Ineverdothingsbyhalves，asyouknow，andImeantohavethehouseclearofapackofuselesspeoplebythistimetomorrow。’

Ilistenedtohim，perfectlyaghastwithastonishment。

`Doyoumean，SirPercival，thatIamtodismisstheindoorservantsundermychargewithouttheusualmonth’swarning？’lasked。

`CertainlyIdo。Wemayallbeoutofthehousebeforeanothermonth，andIamnotgoingtoleavetheservantshereinidleness，withnomastertowaiton。’

`Whoistodothecooking，SirPercival，whileyouarestillstayinghere？’

`MargaretPorchercanroastandboil——keepher。WhatdoIwantwithacookifIdon’tmeantogiveanydinner-parties？’

`Theservantyouhavementionedisthemostunintelligentservantinthehouse，SirPercival——’

`Keepher，Itellyou，andhaveawomaninfromthevillagetodothecleaningandgoawayagain。Myweeklyexpensesmustandshallbeloweredimmediately。Idon’tsendforyoutomakeobjections，MrsMichelson——Isendforyoutocarryoutmyplansofeconomy。Dismissthewholelazypackofindoorservantstomorrow，exceptPorcher。Sheisasstrongasahorse——andwe’llmakeherworklikeahorse。’

`Youwillexcusemeforremindingyou，SirPercival，thatiftheservantsgotomorrowtheymusthaveamonth’swagesinlieuofamonth’swarning。’

`Letthem！Amonth’swagessavesamonth’swasteandgluttonyintheservants’hall。’

Thislastremarkconveyedanaspersionofthemostoffensivekindonmymanagement。Ihadtoomuchself-respecttodefendmyselfundersogrossanimputation。ChristianconsiderationforthehelplesspositionofMissHalcombeandLadyGlyde，andfortheseriousinconveniencewhichmysuddenabsencemightinflictonthem，alonepreventedmefromresigningmysituationonthespot。Iroseimmediately。Itwouldhaveloweredmeinmyownestimationtohavepermittedtheinterviewtocontinueamomentlonger。

`Afterthatlastremark，SirPercival，Ihavenothingmoretosay。Yourdirectionsshallbeattendedto。’Pronouncingthosewords，Ibowedmyheadwiththemostdistantrespect，andwentoutoftheroom。

Thenextdaytheservantsleftinabody。SirPercivalhimselfdismissedthegroomsandstablemen，sendingthem，withallthehorsesbutone，toLondon。Ofthewholedomesticestablishment，indoorsandout，therenowremainedonlymyself，MargaretPorcher，andthegardener——thislastlivinginhisowncottage，andbeingwantedtotakecareoftheonehorsethatremainedinthestables。

Withthehouseleftinthisstrangeandlonelycondition——withthemistressofitillinherroom——withMissHalcombestillashelplessasachild——andwiththedoctor’sattendancewithdrawnfromusinenmity——itwassurelynotunnaturalthatmyspiritsshouldsink，andmycustomarycomposurebeveryhardtomaintain。Mymindwasillatease。Iwishedthepoorladiesbothwellagain，andIwishedmyselfawayfromBlackwaterPark。