hard cash-第94章

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died　true　insanity　all　this　time；　and　knew　how　inhumane　it　is　to　oppose　a　monomaniac's　foible；　it　only　infuriates　and　worries　him。　No　power　can　convince　him。


But　now　he　resolved　to　play　on　the　doctor's　foible。　It　went　against　his　conscience；　but　the　temptation　was　so　strong。　He　came　to　him　with　a　hang…dog　air。

〃Doctor；〃　said　he；　〃I　have　been　thinking　over　your　arguments；　and　I　capitulate。　If　Hamlet　ever　existed；　he　was　as　mad　as　a　March　hare。〃　And　he　blushed　at　this　his　first　quibble。

Dr。　Wycherley　beamed　with　satisfaction。

〃My　young　friend；　this　gives　me　sincere　pleasure；　not　on　my　account；　but　on　your　own。　There　goes　one　of　your　illusions　then。　Now　tell　methe　L。　4；000！　Have　you　calmly　reconsidered　that　too？〃

Alfred　hung　his　head；　and　looked　guiltier　and　guiltier。

〃Why；〃　said　he；　〃that　never　amounted　to　anything　more　than　a　strong　suspicion。　It　has　long　ceased　to　occupy　my　mind　in　excess。　However；　should　I　ever　be　so　fortunate　as　to　recover　my　liberty；　I　have　no　objection　to　collect　the　evidence　about　it　pro　and　con。；　and　then　make　you　the　judge　instead　of　myself。〃　This　he　delivered　with　an　admirable　appearance　of　indifference。

〃Very　well；　sir；〃　said　the　doctor　drily。　〃Then；　now　I　have　a　piece　of　good　news　for　_you。_

〃Oh；　doctor；　what　is　that？〃

〃Your　cure　is　complete；　that　is　all！　You　are　now　a　sane　man；　as　sane　as　I　am。〃

Alfred　was　a　little　disappointed　at　this　piece　of　news；　but　recovering　himself；　asked　him　to　certify　that　and　let　him　send　the　certificate　to　the　Board。　Dr。　Wycherley　said　he　would　with　pleasure。

〃I'll　bring　it　to　you　when　I　make　my　round；〃　said　he。

Alfred　retired　triumphant；　and　went　in　at　Plato　with　a　good　heart。

In　about　an　hour　Dr。　Wycherley　paid　him　the　promised　visit。　But　what　may　not　an　hour　bring　forth？　He　came　with　mortification　and　regret　in　his　face　to　tell　Alfred　that　an　order　of　transfer　had　been　signed　by　the　proper　parties；　and　counter…signed　by　two　Commissioners；　and　he　was　to　go　to　Dr。　Wolf's　asylum　that　day。

Alfred　groaned。　〃I　knew　my　father　would　out…wit　my　feeble　friends　somehow　or　other；〃　said　he。　〃What　is　his　game！　do　you　know？〃

〃I　suppose　to　obtain　a　delay；　and　meantime　get　you　into　an　asylum；　where　they　will　tell　the　Commissioners　you　are　worse　again；　and　perhaps　do　something　to　make　their　words　good。　Dr。　Wolf；　between　ourselves；　will　say　or　do　almost　anything　for　money。　And　his　asylum　is　conducted　on　the　old　system；　though　he　pretends　not。〃

〃My　dear　friend；〃　said　Alfred；　〃will　you　do　me　a　favour？〃

〃How　could　I　deny　you　anything　at　this　sorrowful　moment？〃

〃Here　is　an　advertisement　I　want　inserted　in　the　_Morning　Advertiser。_〃

〃Oh；　I　can't　do　that；　I　fear。〃

〃Look　at　it　before　you　break　my　heart　by　refusing　me。〃

Dr。　Wycherley　looked　at　it；　and　said　it　was　innocent；　being　unintelligible：　and　he　would　insert　it　himself。

〃Three　insertions；　dear　doctor；　said　Alfred。　〃Here　is　the　money。

The　doctor　then　told　him　sorrowfully　he　must　pack　up　his　thingsDr。　Wolf's　keepers　were　waiting　for　him。

The　moment　of　parting　came。　Then　Alfred　solemnly　forgave　Dr。　Wycherley　for　signing　away　his　wits；　and　thanked　him　for　all　his　kindness　and　humanity。　〃We　shall　never　meet　again；　I　fear；〃　said　he；　〃I　feel　a　weight　of　foreboding　here　about　my　heart　I　never　felt　before；　yet　my　trials　have　been　many　and　great。　I　think　the　end　is　at　hand。〃　Dr。　Wolf's　keepers　received　him；　and　their　first　act　was　to　handcuff　him。　The　cold　steel　struck　into　him　deeper　than　his　wrist；　and　reminded　him　of　Silverton　Grove；　he　could　not　suppress　a　shudder。　The　carriage　rolled　all　through　London　with　him。　He　saw　the　Parks　with　autumn's　brown　and　golden　tints：　he　saw　the　people；　some　rich；　some　poor；　but　none　of　them　prisoners。　He　saw　a　little　girl　all　rags。　〃Oh　if　I　could　be　as　ragged　as　you　are；〃　he　said；　〃and　free。〃

At　last　they　reached　Drayton　Housea　huge　old　mansion；　fortified　into　a　jail。　His　handcuffs　were　whipped　off　in　the　yard。　He　was　ushered　into　a　large　gloomy　drawing…room。　Dr。　Wolf　soon　came　to　him；　and　they　measured　each　other　by　the　eye　like　two　prize…fighters。　Dr。　Wolf's　eye　fell　under　Alfred's；　and　the　latter　felt　he　was　capable　of　much　foul　play。　He　was　one　of　the　old　bull…necked　breed：　and　contained　the　bull…dog　and　the　spaniel　in　his　single　nature。　〃I　hope　you　will　be　comfortable　here；　sir；〃　said　he　doggedly。

〃I　will　try；　sir。〃

〃The　first…class　patients　dine　in　half　an　hour。〃

〃I　will　be　ready；　sir。〃

〃Full　dress　in　the　evening；　there　are　several　ladies。〃　Alfred　assented　by　a　bow。　Dr。　Wolf　rang　a　bell；　and　told　a　servant　to　show　Mr。　Hardie　his　room。

He　had　just　time　to　make　his　toilet　when　the　bell　rang　for　dinner。

As　he　went　down　a　nurse　met　him；　held　up　something　white　to　him　as　she　came；　lowered　it　quickly；　and　dropped　it　at　his　feet　in　passing。

It　was　a　billet…doux。

It　was　twisted　into　a　pretty　shape；　scented　and　addressed　to　Mr。　Hardie；　in　a　delicate　Italian　hand；　and　in　that　pale　ink　which　seems　to　reflect　the　charming　timidity　of　the　fair　who　use　it。

He　wondered；　carried　it　into　a　recess；　then　opened　it　and　read　it。　It　contained　but　this　one　line

_〃Drink　nothing　but　water　at　dinner。_〃


These　words　in　that　delicate　Italian　hand　sent　a　chill　through　Alfred。　What　on　earth　was　all　this？　Was　he　to　be　poisoned？　Was　his　life　aimed　at　now　instead　of　his　reason？　What　was　this　mysterious　drama　prepared　for　him　the　very　moment　he　set　his　foot　in　the　place；　perhaps　before？　A　poisoner；　and　a　friend！　Both　strangers。　He　went　down　to　dinner：　and　contrived　to　examine　every　lady　and　gentleman　at　the　table。　But　they　were　all　strangers。　Presently　a　servant　filled　his　glass　with　beer；　he　looked　and　saw　it　was　poured　from　a　small　jug　holding　only　his　portion。　Alfred　took　his　ring　off　his　finger；　and　holding　the　glass　up　dropped　his　ring　in。

〃What　is　that　for？〃　inquired　one　or　two。

〃Oh；　my　ring　has　a　peculiar　virtue；　it　tells　me　what　is　good　for　me。　Ah！　what　do　I　see？　My　ruby　changes　colour。　Fetch　me　a　clean　glass。〃　And　he　filled　it　with　water　from　a　caraffe。　〃No；　sir；　leave　the　beer。　I'll　analyse　it　in　my　room　after　dinner。　I'm　a　chemist。〃

Dr。　Wolf　changed　colour；　and　was　ill　at　ease。　Here　was　a　bold　and　ugly　customer。　However；　he　said　nothing；　and　felt　sure　his　morphia　could　not　be　detected　in　beer　by　any　decomposer　but　the　stomach。　Still　he　was　rather　mystified。

In　the　evening　Alfred　came　dressed　into　the　drawing…room；　and　found　several　gentlemen　and　ladies　there。　One　of　the　ladies　seemed　to　attract　the　lion's　share　of　male　homage。　Her　back　was　turned　to　Alfred：　but　it　was　a　beautiful　back；　with　great　magnificent　neck　and　shoulders；　and　a　skin　like　satin；　she　was　tall　but　rounded　and　symmetrical；　had　a　massive　but　long　and　shapely　white　arm；　and　perfect　hand：　and　masses　of　thick　black　hair　sat　on　her　grand　white　poll　like　a　raven　on　a　marble　pillar。

It　was　not　easy　to　get　near　her；　for　the　mad　gentlemen　were　fawning　on　her　all　round；　like　Queen　Elizabeth's　courtiers。

However；　Dr。　Wolf；　seeing　Alfred　standing　alone；　said；　〃Let　me　introduce　you；〃　and　took　him　round　to　her。　The　courtiers　fell　back　a　little。　The　lady　turned　her　stately　head；　and　her　dark　eyes　ran　lightly　all　over　Alfred　in　a　moment。

He　bowed；　and　blushed　like　a　girl。　She　curtseyed　composedly　and　without　a　symptom　of　recognitiondeep　water　runs　stilland　Dr。　Wolf　introduced　them　ceremoniously。

〃Mr。　HardieMrs。　Archbold。〃




CHAPTER　XLI

ON　Alfred's　leaving　Silverton；　Mrs。　Archbold　was　prostrated。　It　was　a　stunning　blow　to　her　young　passion；　and　left　her　weary；　desolate。

But　she　was　too　strong　to　lie　helpless　under　disappointed　longings。　Two　days　she　sat　stupefied　with　the　heartache；　after　that　she　bustled　about　her　work　in　a　fervour　of　half…crazy　restlessness；　and　ungovernable　irritability；　quenched　at　times　by　fits　of　weeping。　As　she　wept　apart；　but　raged　and　tyrannised　in　public；　she　soon　made　Silverton　House　Silverton　Oven；　especially　to　those　who　had　the　luck　to　be　of　her　sex。　Then　Baker　timidly　remonstrated；　at　the　first　word　she　snapped　him　up　and　said　a　change　would　be　good　for　both　of　them。　He　apologised；　in　vain：　that　very　day　she　closed　by　letter　with　Dr。　Wolf；　who　had　often　invited　her　to　be　his　〃Matron。〃　Her　motive；　half　hidden　from　herself；　was　to　be　anywhere　near　her　favourite。

Installed　at　Drayton　House；　she　waited　some　days；　and　coquetted　woman…like　with　her　own　desires；　then　dressed　neatly　but　soberly；　and　called　at　Dr。　Wycherley's；　sent　in　a　note　explaining　who　she　was　with　a　bit　of　soft　sawder；　and　asked　to　see　Alfred。

She　was　politely　but　peremptorily　refused。　She　felt　this　rebuff　bitterly。　She　went　home　stung　and　tingling　to　the　core。　But　Bitters　wholesome　be：　offended　pride　now　allied　with　strong　good　sense　to　wither　a　wild　affection；　and；　as　it　was　no　longer　fed　by　the　presence　of　its　object；　her　wound　healed；　all　but　the　occasional　dull　throbbing　that　precedes　a　perfect　cure。

At　this　stage　of　her　convalescence　Dr。　Wolf　told　her　in　an　off…hand　way　that　Mr。　Hardie；　a　patient　of　doubtful　insanity；　was　coming　to　his　asylum；　to　be　kept　there　by　hook　or　by　crook。　（She　was　entirely　in　Wolf's　confidence；　and　he　talked　of　these　things　to　her　in　English。）　The　impenetrable　creature　assented　outwardly；　with　no　sign　of　emotion　whatever；　but　one　flash　of　the　eye；　and　one　heave　of　the　bosom　swiftly　suppressed。　She　waited　calmly　and　patiently　till　she　was　alone；　then　yielded　to　joy　and　triumph；　they　seemed　to　leap　inside　her。　But　this　very　thing　alarmed　her。　〃Better　for　me　never　to　see　him　again；〃　she　thought。　〃His　power　over　me　is　too　terrible。　Ah；　good…bye　to　the　peace　and　comfort　I　have　been　building　up！　He　will　scatter　them　to　the　winds。　He　has。〃

She　tried　not　to　think　of　him　too　much。　And；　while　she　was　so　struggling；　Wolf　let　out　that　Alfred　was　to　have　morphia　at　dinner　the　first　daymorphia；　the　accursed　drug　with　which　these　dark　men　in　these　dark　places　coax　the　reason　away　out　of　the　head　by　degrees；　or　with　a　potent　dose　stupefy　the　victim；　then　act　surprise；　alarm；　and　make　his　stupor　the　ground　for　applying　medical　treatment　to　the　doomed　wretch。　Edith　Archbold　knew　the　game；　and　at　the　word　morphia；　Pity　and　Passion　rose　in　her　bosom　irresistible。　She　smiled　in　Dr。　Wolf's　face；　and　hated　him；　and　secretly　girt　herself　up　to　baffle　him；　and　protect　Alfred's　reason；　and　win　his　heart　through　his　gratitude。

She　received　him　as　I　have　related；　to　throw　dust　in　Dr。　Wolf's　eyes：　but　she　acted　so　admirably　that　some　went　into　Alfred's。　〃Ah；〃　thought　he；　〃she　is　angry　with　herself　for　her　amorous　folly；　and；　with　the　justice　of　her　sex；　she　means　to　spite　poor　me　for　it。〃　He　sighed；　for　he　felt　her　hostility　would　be　fatal　to　him。　To　give　her　no　fresh　offence；　he　fell　into　her　manner；　and　treated　her　with　a　world　of　distant　respect。　Then　again；　who　else　but　she　could　have　warned　him　against　poison？　Then　again；　if　so；　why　look　so　cold　and　stern　at　him？　He　cast　one　or　two　wistful　glances　at　her；　but　the　artful　woman　of　thirty　was　impenetrable　in　public　to　the　candid　man　of　twenty…one。　Even　her　passion　could　not　put　them　on　an　equality。

That　night　he　could　not　sleep。　He　lay　wondering　what　would　be　the　next　foul　practice；　and　how　he　should　parry　it。

He　wrote　next　morning　to　the　Commissioners　that　two　of　their　number；　un