Complete Works of Wilkie Collins (2057 page)

MISS G. (
starting as she realises the idea
).

Oh, the daring deceit! the splendid wickedness of it!

DR. D.

Deceit? Wickedness? I repudiate the words. What did you say to me just now? Armadale told your husband the disgraceful secret of your life. In justice to yourself, seize the compensation. Claim the rank and claim the income of Armadale’s widow. (
He looks at his watch.
) The post goes out in a quarter of an hour. There is just time to make your choice. Shall I write to Armadale’s executors? Yes or no?

MISS G. (
impetuously
).

Yes! (
She points to the writing materials.
DOCTOR DOWNWARD
goes to the side table and writes rapidly, taking the certificate with him.
MISS GWILT
walks excitedly up and down the room.
) Be quick, Doctor — be quick! Don’t let me get cool on it! My conscience may make itself heard — my resolution may fail me.

DR. D. (
showing her his letter
).

Here is your claim on the executors, in two sentences, backed by a copy of your certificate, and attested by myself, as the witness present at the marriage. Ring for the girl, and send her to the post.

MISS G. (
ringing
).

What next? what next?

DR. D.

You shall hear when the servant has gone. (LOUISA
enters.
) Run with this to the post, my good girl, and mind you are in time. (LOUISA
goes out with the letter.
) That letter will be received to-morrow morning. You shall follow it in person, and take possession of the house — escorted by
me.
Pack up your things, Mrs. Armadale! We will start by the morning train. (
He leads her to the door on the right. She suddenly stops and draws back from him.
) What is the matter?

MISS G. (
turning towards the bell
).

Is there time to call Louisa back?

DR. D. (
astonished
)

Call her back? What are you thinking of?

MISS G. (
sadly
).

I am thinking of my dead husband. He was the soul of honour — he abhorred deceit. His spirit may be looking down on me at this moment. I wish I had said No! I wish I had said No!

DR. D.

Too late, my dear lady, to wish that. The post-office is in the next street, and the letter is in the box by this time.

MISS G.

My mind misgives me! I don’t like it.

DR. D.

Your mind wants occupation — that’s all. (
He opens the door on the right for her
). Occupy yourself. Pack up!

MISS G.

I don’t like it! I don’t like it! (
She goes out slowly
).

DR. D. (
alone
).

Curious! There is an undergrowth of goodness in that woman’s nature which is too firmly rooted to be easily pulled up. I may have some trouble with her yet. Well, the trouble must be faced. The writs are out against me; the money must be had; and the one way of getting it is the way I have taken. (
He walks up and down thinking
). About the servant here? The girl was with her mistress at Naples, and the lawyers might question her. Yes, yes! I must find Louisa another place. (
Enter
LOUISA). Well, were you in time with the letter?

LOUISA.

Yes, sir — with more than five minutes to spare. There is a gentleman downstairs, asking if we know your address.

DR. D. (
to himself
).

Are the baliffs after me?

LOUISA (
continuing
).

His name is Milroy, and there is a young lady waiting for him in a cab at the door.

DR. D.

Major Milroy and his daughter! (
He considers for a moment.
) Tell the gentleman I happen to be here on a visit, and ask him to come upstairs. (LOUISA
goes out.
) The enemy in our camp! In my fair friend’s interests I must draw the enemy’s teeth. (
He looks towards the door on the right.
) Shall I tell her before he comes in? No. In her present state of mind I can’t trust her to face the Major.

(
Enter
MAJOR MILROY,
shown in by
LOUISA,
who closes the door and withdraws.
)

MAJOR M. (
stiffly
).

I regret to intrude upon you, Dr. Downward. Family circumstances compel me, quite unexpectedly, to make the journey to London, and to speak to you on a very painful matter.

DR. D.

Sit down, Major Milroy.

MAJOR M. (
seating himself
).

You were present at Thorpe-Ambrose, sir, when I discovered that my daughter was privately engaged to Mr. Armadale?

DR. D.

Yes.

MAJOR M.

You heard what I said on that occasion, and what Mr. Armadale said?

DR. D.

Certainly.

MAJOR M.

You were also present, if I am not misinformed, at the marriage of Mr. Armadale and Miss Gwilt?

DR. D.

I was present as the only witness.

MAJOR M.

My daughter’s infatuated attachment to Mr. Armadale leaves me no alternative, sir, but to ask you a very delicate question. She positively refuses to believe in Mr. Armadale’s marriage. Have you any objection to personally assure her that you saw him married to Miss Gwilt? My child’s health is suffering, and I can do nothing to relieve her. I have shown her a copy of the marriage certificate (MISS MILROY
softly opens the centre door
), and she persists in disbelieving —
 
—

MISS MILROY (
advancing
).

I persist still! (DR. D.
and
MAJOR M.
both start.
) Fifty certificates wouldn’t persuade me that Alan married Miss Gwilt. (DR. D.
looks anxiously towards the door of
MISS G.’S
room. The
MAJOR
speaks to his daughter.
)

MAJOR M.

Neelie, what are you doing here? You are acting most improperly. I told you to wait below in the cab.

MISS M.

I beg your pardon, papa. My patience gave way — I couldn’t endure the suspense any longer.

MAJOR M.

Now you
are
here, listen to what Doctor Downward has to tell you.

MISS M. (
whispering to her father
).

I can’t listen to him, papa. His face says, “Don’t believe me.”

MAJOR M. (
severely
).

Listen. (
To
DR. D.) Dr. Downward, you saw Mr. Armadale married to Miss Gwilt?

DR. D.

Most assuredly.

MAJOR M. (
to
MISS M.).

What do you say now?

MISS M.

What I have said all along. Allan is true to me.

(DR. D.
is struck by the last words, and listens attentively. The door of
MISS GWILT’S
room opens. She stands on the threshold, unobserved by the persons present.
)

MAJOR M. (
to
MISS M.).

How can you blind yourself in this way to the plainest proof?

MISS M.

How can I do anything else, when I love Allan?

DR. D. (
interposing
).

“Allan is true to me”? “I love Allan”? Major Milroy, your daughter speaks as if Mr. Armadale was a living man.

MAJOR M. (
amazed
).

Have you not heard the news?

(MISS G.
slowly advances into the room, still unobserved.
)

DR. D. (
with a sudden misgiving of the truth
).

What news?

MISS M. (
discovering
MISS GWILT).

Papa! Papa! (
She tries vainly to draw her father’s attention to
MISS G.)

MAJOR M.

There is no doubt of it, Dr. Downward. Mr. Armadale is a living man. (MISS GWILT
staggers, and catches at the nearest chair to support herself.
DR. D.
and the
MAJOR
discover her.
)

DR. D. (
to
MISS G.).

Compose yourself. It’s a false report. Go back to your room, and leave it to me.

MAJOR M. (
looking at
MISS G.).

She
here! Leave us, Neelie. (MISS M.
draws back, but does not leave the room.
) It is no false report, sir. The news of Mr. Armadale’s rescue has forced me to follow my lawyer to London. I had a letter from Mr. Armadale this morning, asking to see my daughter, and writing as if he was still a single man.

MISS G. (
advancing slowly towards
MAJOR M.,
and speaking in low, distinct tones.
)

One word, Major Milroy. Mr. Armadale had a friend with him.

MISS M. (
in a whisper
).

Oh, papa, look at her! look at her!

DR. D. (
cautioning the
MAJOR,
and placing himself near
MISS GWILT).

Take care what you say, sir! — take care!

MAJOR M. (
to
DR. D.).

I don’t understand you. After what I have said already why should I conceal the rest? Mr. Midwinter is saved with his friend.

(MISS GWILT
sinks into the
DOCTOR’S
arms, with a faint cry.
)

DR. D. (
aside
).

Damnation! (
He places
MISS G.
in a chair, and occupies himself in restoring her.
)

MISS M. (
whispering
).

Look at him, papa — look! Doesn’t his face tell you that he is caught in a lie? For my sake — if you won’t for Allan’s — let us go to the lawyer and tell him what we have seen!

MAJOR M. (
sharing his daughter’s conviction
).

She may be right! In any case, this is no place for a young girl. Come, Neelie!

MISS M.

To the lawyer’s?

MAJOR M.