the law and the lady-第32章

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Eustace　Macallan's　death。　At　the　same　time　he　had　spoken　of　Mrs。
Beauly　in　a　tone　which　plainly　betrayed　that　he　was　no　friend　to
that　lady。　Did　_he_　suspect　her　too？　My　chief　motive　in　deciding
to　ask　his　advice　before　I　applied　to　any　one　else　was　to　find　an
opportunity　of　putting　that　question　to　him。　If　he　really　thought
of　her　as　I　did；　my　course　was　clear　before　me。　The　next　step　to
take　would　be　carefully　to　conceal　my　identityand　then　to
present　myself；　in　the　character　of　a　harmless　stranger；　to　Mrs。
Beauly。

There　were　difficulties；　of　course；　in　my　way。　The　first　and
greatest　difficulty　was　to　obtain　an　introduction　to　Miserrimus
Dexter。

The　composing　influence　of　the　fresh　air　in　the　garden　had　by
this　time　made　me　readier　to　lie　down　and　rest　than　to　occupy　my
mind　in　reflecting　on　my　difficulties。　Little　by　little　I　grew
too　drowsy　to　thinkthen　too　lazy　to　go　on　walking。　My　bed
looked　wonderfully　inviting　as　I　passed
　by　the　open　window　of　my　room。

In　five　minutes　more　I　had　accepted　the　invitation　of　the　bed；
and　had　said　farewell　to　my　anxieties　and　my　troubles。　In　five
minutes　more　I　was　fast　asleep。

A　discreetly　gentle　knock　at　my　door　was　the　first　sound　that
aroused　me。　I　heard　the　voice　of　my　good　old　Benjamin　speaking
outside。

〃My　dear！　I　am　afraid　you　will　be　starved　if　I　let　you　sleep　any
longer。　It　is　half…past　one　o'clock；　and　a　friend　of　yours　has
come　to　lunch　with　us。〃

A　friend　of　mine？　What　friends　had　I？　My　husband　was　far　away；
and　my　uncle　Starkweather　had　given　me　up　in　despair。

〃Who　is　it？〃　I　cried　out　from　my　bed；　through　the　door。

〃Major　Fitz…David；〃　Benjamin　answered；　by　the　same　medium。

I　sprang　out　of　bed。　The　very　man　I　wanted　was　waiting　to　see　me！
Major　Fitz…David；　as　the　phrase　is；　knew　everybody。　Intimate　with
my　husband；　he　would　certainly　know　my　husband's　old
friendMiserrimus　Dexter。

Shall　I　confess　that　I　took　particular　pains　with　my　toilet；　and
that　I　kept　the　luncheon　waiting？　The　woman　doesn't　live　who
would　have　done　otherwisewhen　she　had　a　particular　favor　to　ask
of　Major　Fitz…David。


CHAPTER　XXII。

THE　MAJOR　MAKES　DIFFICULTIES。

　As　I　opened　the　dining…room　door　the　Major　hastened　to　meet　me。
He　looked　the　brightest　and　the　youngest　of　living　elderly
gentlemen；　with　his　smart　blue　frock…coat；　his　winning　smile；　his
ruby　ring；　and　his　ready　compliment。　It　was　quite　cheering　to
meet　the　modern　Don　Juan　once　more。

〃I　don't　ask　after　your　health；〃　said　the　old　gentleman；　〃your
eyes　answer　me；　my　dear　lady；　before　I　can　put　the　question。　At
your　age　a　long　sleep　is　the　true　beauty…draught。　Plenty　of
bedthere　is　the　simple　secret　of　keeping　your　good　looks　and
living　a　long　lifeplenty　of　bed！〃

〃I　have　not　been　so　long　in　my　bed；　Major；　as　you　suppose。　To
tell　the　truth；　I　have　been　up　all　night；　reading。〃

Major　Fitz…David　lifted　his　well…painted　eyebrows　in　polite
surprise。

〃What　is　the　happy　book　which　has　interested　you　so　deeply？〃　he
asked。

〃The　book；〃　I　answered；　〃is　the　Trial　of　my　husband　for　the
murder　of　his　first　wife。〃

〃Don't　mention　that　horrid　book！〃　he　exclaimed。　〃Don't　speak　of
that　dreadful　subject！　What　have　beauty　and　grace　to　do　with
Trials；　Poisonings；　Horrors？　Why；　my　charming　friend；　profane
your　lips　by　talking　of　such　things？　Why　frighten　away　the　Loves
and　the　Graces　that　lie　hid　in　your　smile。　Humor　an　old　fellow
who　adores　the　Loves　and　the　Graces；　and　who　asks　nothing　better
than　to　sun　himself　in　your　smiles。　Luncheon　is　ready。　Let　us　be
cheerful。　Let　us　laugh　and　lunch。〃

He　led　me　to　the　table；　and　filled　my　plate　and　my　glass　with　the
air　of　a　man　who　considered　himself　to　be　engaged　in　one　of　the
most　important　occupations　of　his　life。　Benjamin　kept　the
conversation　going　in　the　interval。

〃Major　Fitz…David　brings　you　some　news；　my　dear；〃　he　said。　〃Your
mother…in…law；　Mrs。　Macallan；　is　coming　here　to　see　you　to…day。〃

My　mother…in…law　coming　to　see　me！　I　turned　eagerly　to　the　Major
for　further　information。

〃Has　Mrs。　Macallan　heard　anything　of　my　husband？〃　I　asked。　〃Is
she　coming　here　to　tell　me　about　him？〃

〃She　has　heard　from　him；　I　believe；〃　said　the　Major；　〃and　she　has
also　heard　from　your　uncle　the　vicar。　Our　excellent　Starkweather
has　written　to　herto　what　purpose　I　have　not　been　informed。　I
only　know　that　on　receipt　of　his　letter　she　has　decided　on　paying
you　a　visit。　I　met　the　old　lady　last　night　at　a　party；　and　I
tried　hard　to　discover　whether　she　were　coming　to　you　as　your
friend　or　your　enemy。　My　powers　of　persuasion　were　completely
thrown　away　on　her。　The　fact　is；〃　said　the　Major；　speaking　in　the
character　of　a　youth　of　five…and…twenty　making　a　modest
confession；　〃I　don't　get　on　well　with　old　women。　Take　the　will
for　the　deed；　my　sweet　friend。　I　have　tried　to　be　of　some　use　to
you　and　have　failed。〃

Those　words　offered　me　the　opportunity　for　which　I　was　waiting。　I
determined　not　to　lose　it。

〃You　can　be　of　the　greatest　use　to　me；〃　I　said；　〃if　you　will
allow　me　to　presume；　Major；　on　your　past　kindness。　I　want　to　ask
you　a　question；　and　I　may　have　a　favor　to　beg　when　you　have
answered　me。〃

Major　Fitz…David　set　down　his　wine…glass　on　its　way　to　his　lips；
and　looked　at　me　with　an　appearance　of　breathless　interest。

〃Command　me；　my　dear　ladyI　am　yours　and　yours　only；〃　said　the
gallant　old　gentleman。　〃What　do　you　wish　to　ask　me？〃

〃I　wish　to　ask　if　you　know　Miserrimus　Dexter。〃

〃Good　Heavens！〃　cried　the　Major；　〃that　_is_　an　unexpected
question！　Know　Miserrimus　Dexter？　I　have　known　him　for　more　years
than　I　like　to　reckon　up。　What　_can_　be　your　object〃

〃I　can　tell　you　what　my　object　is　in　two　words；〃　I　interposed。　〃I
want　you　to　give　me　an　introduction　to　Miserrimus　Dexter。〃

My　impression　is　that　the　Major　turned　pale　under　his　paint。
This；　at　any　rate；　is　certainhis　sparkling　little　gray　eyes
looked　at　me　in　undisguised　bewilderment　and　alarm。

〃You　want　to　know　Miserrimus　Dexter？〃　he　repeated；　with　the　air
of　a　man　who　doubted　the　evidence　of　his　own　senses。　〃Mr。
Benjamin；　have　I　taken　too　much　of　your　excellent　wine？　Am　I　the
victim　of　a　delusionor　did　our　fair　friend　really　ask　me　to
give　her　an　introduction　to　Miserrimus　Dexter？〃

Benjamin　looked　at　me　in　some　bewilderment　on　his　side；　and
answered；　quite　seriously；

〃I　think　you　said　so；　my　dear。〃

〃I　certainly　said　so；〃　I　rejoined。　〃What　is　there　so　very
surprising　in　my　request？〃

〃The　man　is　mad！〃　cried　the　Major。　〃In　all　England　you　could　not
have　picked　out　a　person　more　essentially　unfit　to　be　introduced
to　a　ladyto　a　young　lady　especiallythan　Dexter。　Have　you
heard　of　his　horrible　deformity？〃

〃I　have　heard　of　itand　it　doesn't　daunt　me。〃

〃Doesn't　daunt　you？　My　dear　lady；　the　man's　mind　is　as　deformed
as　his　body。　What　Voltaire　said　satirically　of　the　character　of
his　countrymen　in　general　is　literally　true　of　Miserrimus　Dexter。
He　is　a　mixture　of　the　tiger　and　the　monkey。　At　one　moment　he
would　frighten　you；　and　at　the　next　he　would　set　you　screaming
with　laughter。　I　don't　deny　that　he　is　clever　in　some
respectsbrilliantly　clever；　I　admit。　And　I　don't　say　that　he
has　ever　committed　any　acts　of　violence；　or　ever　willingly
injured　anybody。　But；　for　all　that；　he　is　mad；　if　ever　a　man　were
mad　yet。　Forgive　me　if　the　inquiry　is　impertinent。　What　can　your
motive　possibly　be　for　wanting　an　introduction　to　Miserrimus
Dexter？〃

〃I　want　to　consult　him？〃

〃May　I　ask　on　what　subject？〃

〃On　the　subject　of　my　husband's　Trial。〃

Major　Fitz…David　groaned；　and　sought　a　momentary　consolation　in
his　friend　Benjamin's　claret。

〃That　dreadful　subject　again！〃　he　exclaimed。　〃Mr。　Benjamin；　why
does　she　persist　in　dwelling　on　that　dreadful　subject？〃

〃I　must　dwell　on　what　is　now　the　one　employment　and　the　one　hope
of　my　life；〃　I　said。　〃I　have　reason　to　hope　that　Miserrimus
Dexter　can　help　me　to　clear　my　husband's　character　of　the　stain
which　the　Scotch　Verdict　has　left　on　it。　Tiger　and　monkey　as　he
may　be；　I　am　ready　to　run　the　risk　of　being　introduced　to　him。
And　I　ask　you　againrashly　and　obstinately　as　I　fear　you　will
thinkto　give　me　the　introduction。　It　will　put　you　to　no
inconvenience。　I　won't　trouble　you　to　escort　me；　a　letter　to　Mr。
Dexter　will　do。〃

The　Major　looked　piteously　at　Benjamin；　and　shook　his　head。
Benjamin　looked　piteously　at　the　Major；　and　shook　_his_　head。

〃She　appears　to　insist　on　it；〃　said　the　Major。

〃Yes；〃　said　Benjamin。　〃She　appears　to　insist　on　it。〃

〃I　won't　take　the　responsibility；　Mr。　Benjamin；　of　sending　her
alone　to　Miserrimus　Dexter。〃

〃Shall　I　go　with　her；　sir？〃

The　Major　reflected。　Benjamin；　in　the　capacity　of　protector；　did
not　appear　to　inspire　our　military　friend　with　confidence。　After
a　moment's　consideration　a　new　idea　seemed　to　strike　him。　He
turned　to　me。

〃My　charming　friend；〃　he　said；　〃be　more　charming　than
everconsent　to　a　compromise。　Let　us　treat　this　difficulty　about
Dexter　from　a　social　point　of　view。　What　do　you　say　to　a　little
dinner？〃

〃A　little　dinner？〃　I　repeated；　not　in　the　least　understanding
him。

〃A　little　dinner；〃　the　Major　reiterated；　〃at　my　house。　You　insist
on　my　introducing　you　to　Dexter；　and　I　refuse　to　trust　you　alone
with　th　at　crack…brained　personage。　The　only　alternative　under
the　circumstances　is　to　invite　him　to　meet　you；　and　to　let　you
form　your　own　opinion　of　himunder　the　protection　of　my　roof。
Who　shall　we　have　to　meet　you　besides？〃　pursued　the　Major；
brightening　with　hospitable　intentions。　〃We　want　a　perfect　galaxy
of　beauty　around　the　table；　as　a　species　of　compensation　when　we
have　got　Miserrimus　Dexter　as　one　the　guests。　Madame　Mirliflore
is　still　in　London。　You　would　be　sure　to　like　hershe　is
charming；　she　possesses　your　firmness；　your　extraordinary
tenacity　of　purpose。　Yes；　we　will　have　Madame　Mirliflore。　Who
else？　Shall　we　say　Lady　Clarinda？　Another　charming　person；　Mr。
Benjamin！　You　would　be　sure　to　admire　hershe　is　so　sympathetic；
she　resembles　in　so　many　respects　our　fair　friend　here。　Yes；　Lady
Clarinda　shall　be　one　of　us；　and　you　shall　sit　next　to　her；　Mr。
Benjamin；　as　a　proof　of　my　sincere　regard　for　you。　Shall　we　have
my　young　prima　donna　to　sing　to　us　in　the　evening？　think　so。　She
is　pretty；　she　will　assist　in　obscuring　the　deformity　of　Dexter。
Very　well；　there　is　our　party　complete！　I　will　shut　myself　up
this　evening　and　approach　the　question　of　dinner　with　my　cook。
Shall　we　say　this　day　week；〃　asked　the　Major；　taking　out　his
pocketbook；　〃at　eight　o'clock？〃

I　consented　to　the　proposed　compromisebut　not　very　willingly。
With　a　letter　of　introduction；　I　might　have　seen　Miserrimus
Dexter　that　afternoon。　As　it　was；　the　〃little　dinner〃　compelled
me　to　wait　in　absolute　inaction　through　a　whole　week。　However；
there　was　no　help　for　it　but　to　submit。　Major　Fitz…David；　in　his
polite　way；　could　be　as　obstinate　as　I　was。　He　had　evidently　made
up　his　mind；　and　further　opposition　on　my　part　would　be　of　no
service　to　me。

〃Punctually　at　eight；　Mr。　Benjamin；〃　reiterated　the　Major。　〃Put
it　down　in　your　book。〃

Benjamin　obeyedwith　a　side　look　at　me；　which　I　was　at　no　loss
to　interpret。　My　good　old　friend　did　not　relish　meeting　a　man　at
dinner　who　was　described　as　〃half　tiger；　ha