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Catherick had been living there in service at the same time, we knew also first, that Anne had been born in June, eighteen hundred and twenty-seven; secondly, that she had always presented an extraordinary personal resemblance to Laura; and, thirdly, that Laura herself was strikingly like her father. Mr. Philip Fairlie had been one of the notoriously handsome men of his time.
He brought his newly-married wife along with him, and we heard in course of time she had been lady's-maid in a family that lived at Varneck Hall, near Southampton. Catherick had found it a hard matter to get her to marry him, in consequence of her holding herself uncommonly high. He had asked and asked, and given the thing up at last, seeing she was so contrary about it.
She was too much absorbed by what had happened to notice the effect which her reply had produced on me. "I have seen Anne Catherick! I have spoken to Anne Catherick!" she repeated as if I had not heard her. "Oh, Marian, I have such things to tell you! Come away we may be interrupted here come at once into my room."
"Catherick never did, sir, that I can remember nor any one else either, that I know of." I noted down Major Donthorne's name and address, on the chance that he might still be alive, and that it might be useful at some future time to apply to him.
"It doesn't hurt me now." "I will try to think quietly of it, my love, for your sake. Well! well! And you told him all that Anne Catherick had said to you all that you told me?" "Yes, all. He insisted on it I was alone with him I could conceal nothing." "Did he say anything when you had done?" "He looked at me, and laughed to himself in a mocking, bitter way.
He had been probably placed there, by Sir Percival's directions, as a lodger, in anticipation of my inquiries leading me, sooner or later, to communicate with Mrs. Catherick. Before many days were over, there seemed every likelihood now that he and I might meet.
The mystery of Anne Catherick is NOT cleared up yet. She may never cross my path again, but if ever she crosses yours, make better use of the opportunity, Miss Halcombe, than I made of it. I speak on strong conviction I entreat you to remember what I say." These are his own expressions.
The statement of this curious fact intended merely to assist me in identifying the person of whom we were in search when coupled with the additional information that Anne Catherick had escaped from a mad-house, started the first immense conception in my mind, which subsequently led to such amazing results.
My interest in the question of the forgery was now at an end, and my only object in keeping the letter was to make it of some future service in clearing up the last mystery that still remained to baffle me the parentage of Anne Catherick on the father's side.
Well, well, well, I shall know Anne Catherick when I see her and so enough for to-night. Make your mind easy, Percival. Sleep, my son, the sleep of the just, and see what I will do for you when daylight comes to help us both. I have my projects and my plans here in my big head. You shall pay those bills and find Anne Catherick my sacred word of honour on it, but you shall!
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