east lynne-第56章

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　now　this　man　showed　himself　to　you　more　than　once。〃

〃Yes；　there's　a　good　deal　in　all　that；〃　observed　Richard。　〃For；　to　one　in　his　class　of　life；　the　bare　suspicion　of　such　a　crime；　brought　against　him；　would　crush　him　forever　in　the　eyes　of　his　compeers。〃

〃It　is　difficult　to　me　Richard；　to　believe　that　he　is　in　the　class　of　life　you　speak　of；〃　observed　Mr。　Carlyle。

〃There's　no　doubt　about　it；　there's　none　indeed。　But　that　I　did　not　much　like　to　mention　the　name；　for　it　can't　be　a　pleasant　name　to　you；　I　should　have　said　last　night　who　I　have　seen　him　walking　with；〃　continued　simple…hearted　Richard。

Mr。　Carlyle　looked　inquiringly。　〃Richard　say　on。〃

〃I　have　seen　him；　sir；　with　Sir　Francis　Levison；　twice。　Once　he　was　talking　to　him　at　the　door　of　the　betting…rooms；　and　once　they　were　walking　arm…in…arm。　They　are　apparently　upon　intimate　terms。〃

At　this　moment　a　loud；　flustering；　angry　voice　was　heard　calling　from　the　stairs；　and　Richard　leaped　up　as　if　he　had　been　shot。　His　door　not　the　one　leading　to　the　room　of　Miss　Carlyleopened　upon　the　corridor；　and　the　voice　sounded　close；　just　as　if　its　owner　were　coming　in　with　a　hound。　It　was　the　voice　of　Mr。　Justice　Hare。

〃Carlyle；　where　are　you？　Here's　a　pretty　thing　happened！　Come　down！〃

Mr。　Carlyle　for　once　in　his　life　lost　his　calm　equanimity；　and　sprang　to　the　door；　to　keep　it　against　invasion；　as　eagerly　as　Richard　could　have　done。　He　forgot　that　Joyce　had　said　the　door　was　safely　locked；　and　the　key　mislaid。　As　to　Richard；　he　rushed　on　his　hat　and　his　black　whiskers；　and　hesitated　between　under　the　bed　and　inside　the　wardrobe。

〃Don't　agitate　yourself；　Richard；〃　whispered　Mr。　Carlyle；　〃there　is　no　real　danger。　I　will　go　and　keep　him　safely。〃

But　when　Mr。　Carlyle　got　through　his　sister's　bedroom；　he　found　that　lady　had　taken　the　initiative；　and　was　leaning　over　the　balustrades；　having　been　arrested　in　the　process　of　dressing。　Her　clothes　were　on；　but　her　nightcap　was　not　off；　little　cared　she；　however；　who　saw　her　nightcap。

〃What　on　earth　brings　you　up　in　this　weather？〃　began　she；　in　a　tone　of　exasperation。

〃I　want　to　see　Carlyle。　Nice　news　I　have　had！〃

〃What　about？　Anything　concerning　Anne；　or　her　family？〃

〃Anne　be　bothered；〃　replied　the　justice；　who　was　from　some　cause；　in　a　furious　temper。　〃It　concerns　that　precious　rascal；　who　I　am　forced　to　call　son。　I　am　told　he　is　here。〃

Down　the　stairs　leaped　Mr。　Carlyle；　four　at　a　time；　wound　his　arm　within　Mr。　Hare's；　and　led　him　to　a　sitting…room。

〃Good…morning；　justice。　You　had　courage　to　venture　up　through　the　snow！　What　is　the　matter；　you　seem　excited。〃

〃Excited？〃　raved　the　justice；　dancing　about　the　room；　first　on　one　leg；　then　on　the　other；　like　a　cat　upon　hot　bricks；　〃so　you　would　be　excited；　if　your　life　were　worried　out；　as　mine　is；　over　a　wicked　scamp　of　a　son。　Why　can't　folks　trouble　their　heads　about　their　own　business；　and　let　my　affairs　alone？　A　pity　but　what　he　was　hung；　and　the　thing　done　with！〃

〃But　what　has　happened？〃　questioned　Mr。　Carlyle。

〃Why　this　has　happened；〃　retorted　the　justice；　throwing　a　letter　on　the　table。　〃The　post　brought　me　this；　just　nowand　pleasant　information　it　gives。〃

Mr。　Carlyle　took　up　the　note　and　read　it。　It　purported　to　be　from　〃a　friend〃　to　Justice　Hare；　informing　that　gentleman　that　his　〃criminal　son〃　was　likely　to　have　arrived　at　West　Lynne；　or　would　arrive　in　the　course　of　a　day　or　so；　and　it　recommended　Mr。　Hare　to　speed　his　departure　from　it；　lest　he　should　be　pounced　upon。

〃This　letter　is　anonymous！〃　exclaimed　Mr。　Carlyle。

〃Of　course　it　is；〃　stamped　the　justice。

〃The　only　notice　/I/　should　ever　take　of　an　anonymous　letter　would　be　to　put　it　in　the　fire；〃　cried　Mr。　Carlyle；　his　lip　curling　with　scorn。

〃But　who　has　written　it？〃　danced　Justice　Hare。　〃And　/is/　Dick　at　West　Lynnethat's　the　question。〃

〃Now；　is　it　likely　that　he　should　come　to　West　Lynne？〃　remonstrated　Mr。　Carlyle。　〃Justice；　will　you　pardon　me；　if　I　venture　to　give　you　my　candid　opinion。〃

〃The　fool　at　West　Lynne；　running　into　the　very　jaws　of　death！　By　Jupiter！　If　I　can　drop　upon　him；　I'll　retain　him　in　custody；　and　make　out　a　warrant　for　his　committal！　I'll　have　this　everlasting　bother　over。〃

〃I　was　going　to　give　you　my　opinion；〃　quietly　put　in　Mr。　Carlyle。　〃I　fear；　Justice；　you　bring　these　annoyances　upon　yourself。〃

〃Bring　them　upon　myself！〃　ranted　the　indignant　justice。　〃I？　Did　I　murder　Hallijohn？　Did　I　fly　away　from　the　law？　Am　I　hiding；　Beelzebub　knows　where？　Do　I　take　starts；　right　into　my　native　parish；　disguised　as　a　laborer；　on　purpose　to　worry　my　own　father？　Do　I　write　anonymous　letters？　Bring　them　upon　myself；　do　I？　That　cobs　all；　Carlyle。〃

〃You　will　not　hear　me　out。　It　is　known　that　you　are　much　exasperated　against　Richard〃

〃And　if　your　son　serves　you　the　same　when　he　is　grown　up；　shan't　you　be　exasperated；　pray？〃　fired　Justice　Hare。

〃Do　hear　me。　It　is　known　that　you　are　much　exasperated；　and　that　any　allusion　to　him　excites　and　annoys　you。　Now；　my　opinion　is；　justice；　that　some　busybody　is　raising　these　reports　and　writing　these　letters　on　purpose　to　annoy　you。　It　may　be　somebody　at　West　Lynne；　very　near　to　us；　for　all　we　know。〃

〃That's　all　rubbish！〃　peevishly　responded　the　justice；　after　a　pause。　〃It's　not　likely。　Who'd　do　it？〃

〃It　is　very　likely；　but　you　may　be　sure　they　will　not　give　us　a　clue　as　to　the　'who。'　I　should　put　that　letter　in　the　fire；　and　think　no　more　about　it。　That's　the　only　way　to　serve　them。　A　pretty　laugh　they　have　had　in　their　sleeve；　if　it　is　anybody　near；　at　seeing　you　wade　up　here　through　the　snow　this　morning！　They　would　know　you　were　bringing　the　letter；　to　consult　me。〃

The　justicein　spite　of　his　obstinacy　he　was　somewhat　easily　persuaded　to　different　views　of　things；　especially　by　Mr。　Carlylelet　fall　his　coat　tails；　which　had　been　gathered　in　his　arms；　as　he　stood　with　his　back　to　the　fire；　and　brought　down　both　his　hands　upon　the　table　with　force　enough　to　break　it。

〃If　I　thought　that；〃　he　spluttered；　〃if　I　could　think　it；　I'd　have　the　whole　parish　of　West　Lynne　before　me　to…day；　and　commit　them　for　trial。〃

〃It's　a　pity　but　what　you　could；〃　said　Mr。　Carlyle。

〃Well；　it　may　be；　or　it　may　not　be；　that　that　villain　is　coming　here；〃　he　resumed。　〃I　shall　call　in　at　the　police　station；　and　tell　them　to　keep　a　sharp　lookout。〃

〃You　will　do　nothing　of　the　sort　justice；〃　exclaimed　Mr。　Carlyle；　almost　in　agitation。　〃Richard　is　not　likely　to　make　his　appearance　at　West　Lynne；　but　if　he　did；　would　you；　his　own　father；　turn　the　flood　upon　him？　Not　a　man　living　but　would　cry　shame　upon　you。〃

〃I　took　an　oath　I'd　do　it；〃　said　the　justice。

〃You　did　not　take　an　oath　to　go　open…mouthed　to　the　police　station；　upon　the　receipt　of　any　despicable　anonymous　letter　or　any　foolish　report；　to　say；　'I　have　news　that　my　son　will　be　here　to…day；　look　after　him。'　Nonsense；　justice！　Let　the　police　look　out　for　themselves；　but　don't　/you/　set　them　on。〃

The　justice　growled；　whether　in　assent　or　dissent　did　not　appear；　and　Mr。　Carlyle　resumed；

〃Have　you　shown　this　letter　to　Mrs。　Hare；　or　mentioned　it　to　her？〃

〃Not　I。　I　didn't　give　myself　time。　I　had　gone　down　to　the　front　gate；　to　see　how　deep　the　snow　lay　in　the　road；　when　the　postman　came　up；　so　I　read　it　as　I　stood　there。　I　went　in　for　my　coat　and　umbrella；　to　come　off　to　you；　and　Mrs。　Hare　wanted　to　know　where　I　was　going　in　such　a　hurry；　but　I　did　not　satisfy　her。〃

〃I　am　truly　glad　to　hear　it；〃　said　Mr。　Carlyle。　〃Such　information　as　this　could　not　fail　to　have　a　dangerous　effect　upon　Mrs。　Hare。　Do　not　suffer　a　hint　of　it　to　escape　you　justice；　consider　how　much　anxiety　she　has　already　suffered。〃

〃It's　partly　her　own　fault。　Why　can't　she　drive　the　ill…doing　boy　from　her　mind？〃

〃If　she　could；〃　said　Mr。　Carlyle；　〃she　would　be　acting　against　human　nature。　There　is　one　phase　of　the　question　which　you　may　possibly　not　have　glanced　at；　justice。　You　speak　of　delivering　your　son　up　to　the　law；　has　it　ever　struck　you　that　you　would　be　delivering　up　at　the　same　time　your　wife's　life？〃

〃Stuff！〃　said　the　justice。

〃You　would　find　it　no　'stuff。'　So　sure　as　Richard　gets　brought　to　trial；　whether　through　your　means；　or　through　any　other；　so　sure　will　it　kill　your　wife。〃

Mr。　Hare　took　up　the　letter；　which　had　lain　open　on　the　table；　folded　it；　and　put　it　in　its　envelope。

〃I　suppose　you　don't　know　the　writing？〃　he　asked　of　Mr。　Carlyle。

〃I　never　saw　it　before；　that　I　remember。　Are　you　returning　home？〃

〃No。　I　shall　go　on　to　Beauchamp's　and　show　him　this；　and　hear　what　he　says。　It's　not　much　farther。〃

〃Tell　him　not　to　speak　of　it　then。　Beauchamp's　safe；　for　his　sympathies　are　with　Richardoh；　yes；　they　are；　justice；　ask　him　the　question　plainly　if　you　like；　and　he　will　confess　to　it。　I　can　tell　you　more　sympathy　goes　with　Richard　than　is　acknowledged　to　you。　But　I　would　not　show　that　letter　to　anyone　else　than　Beauchamp；〃　added　Mr。　Carlyle；　〃neither　would　I　speak　of　it。〃

〃Who　can　have　written　it？〃　repeated　the　justice。　〃It　bears；　you　see　the　London　Post…mark。〃

〃It　is　too　wide　a　speculation　to　enter　upon。　And　no　satisfactory　conclusion　could　come　of　it。〃

Justice　Hare　departed。　Mr。　Carlyle　watched　him　down　the　avenue；　striding　under　his　umbrella；　and　then　went　up　to　Richard。　Miss　Carlyle　was　sitting　with　the　latter　then。

〃I　thought　I　should　have　died；〃　spoke　poor　Dick。　〃I　declare；　Mr。　Carlyle；　my　very　blood　seemed　turned　to　water；　and　I　thought　I　should　have　died　with　fright。　Is　he　gone　awayis　all　safe？〃

〃He　is　gone；　and　it's　all　safe。〃

〃And　what　did　he　want？　What　was　it　he　had　heard　about　me？〃

Mr。　Carlyle　gave　a　brief　explanation；　and　Richard　immediately　set　down　the　letter　as　the　work　of　Thorn。

〃Will　it　be　possible　for　me　to　see　my　mother　this　time？〃　he　demanded　of　Mr。　Carlyle。

〃I　think　it　would　be　highly　injudicious　to　let　your　mother　know　you　are　here；　or　have　been　here；〃　was　the　answer　of　Mr。　Carlyle。　〃She　would　naturally　be　inquiring　into　particulars；　and　when　she　came　to　hear　that　you　were　pursued；　she　would　never　have　another　minute's　peace。　You　must　forego　the　pleasure　of　seeing　her　this　time；　Richard。〃

〃And　Barbara？〃

〃Barbara　might　come　and　stay　the　day　with　you。　Only〃

〃Only　what；　sir？〃　cried　Richard；　for　Mr。　Carlyle　had　hesitated。

〃I　was　thinking　what　a　wretched　morning　it　is　for　her　to　come　out　in。〃

〃She　would　go　through　an　avalancheshe'd　wade　through　mountains　of　snow；　to　see　me；〃　cried　Richard　eagerly；　〃and　be　delighted　to　do　it。〃

〃She　always　was　a　little　fool；〃　put　in　Miss　Carlyle；　jerking　some　stitches　out　of　her　knitting。

〃I　know　she　would；〃　observed　Mr。　Carlyle；　in　answer　to　Richard。　〃We　will　try　and　get　her　here。〃

〃She　can　arrange　about　the　money　I　am　to　have；　just　as　well　as　my　mother　could　you　know；　sir。〃

〃Yes；　for　Barbara　is　in　receipt　of　money　of　her　own　now；　and　I　know　she　would　not　wish　better　than　to　apply　some　of　it　to　you。　Cornelia；　as　an　excuse　for　getting　her　here；　I　must　say　to　Mrs。　Hare　that　you　are　ill；　and　wish　Barbara　to　come　for　the　day　and　bear　your　company。　Shall　I？〃

〃Say　I　am　dead；　if　you　like；〃　responded　Miss　Corny；　who　was　in　one　of　her　cross　moods。

Mr。　Carlyle　ordered　the　pony　carriage；　and　drove　forth　with　John。　He　drew　in　at　the　grove。　Barbara　and　Mrs。