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The door was opened by a servant out of livery, an old man who looked as if he might have been a soldier in his earlier days. He eyed me with a grave attention, which relaxed little by little into sly approval. I asked for Major Fitz-David. The answer was not altogether encouraging: the man was not sure whether his master were at home or not. I gave him my card.
He rose and took my hand silently, in his simple, kindly way. "Where is Eustace?" I asked. "Why has he gone away and left me?" I was still miserably weak. My eyes wandered mechanically round the room as I put the question. I saw Major Fitz-David, I saw the table on which the singing girl had opened the book to show it to me.
The doctor appeared to be at a loss how to reply to me. He looked at Benjamin, and said, "Will you speak to Mrs. Woodville?" Benjamin, in his turn, looked at Major Fitz-David, and said, "Will you?" The Major signed to them both to leave us. They rose together, and went into the front room, pulling the door to after them in its grooves.
Au revoir, my charming pupil au revoir." The young lady answered this polite little speech in a whisper with her round eyes fixed distrustfully on me while she spoke. The door closed on her. Major Fitz-David was a t liberty to set matters right with me, in my turn. "I call that young person one of my happy discoveries;" said the old gentleman, complacently.
I was able at last to satisfy Major Fitz-David that his considerate and courteous explanation had not been thrown away upon me. "I thank you, most sincerely, Major," I said "You have convinced me that I must not ask you to forget, on my account, the promise which you have given to my husband. It is a sacred promise, which I too am bound to respect I quite understand that."
It was only for a moment; but in that moment he looked at me with a sudden suspicion and surprise looked as if he had caught me with my hand on the clew. "Pray don't let me disturb you," said Major Fitz-David. "I have only come here to ask you a question." "What is it, Major?" "Have you met with any letters of mine in the course of your investigations?" "I have found none yet," I answered.
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 obeyed with a side look at me, which I was at no loss to interpret.
"I am afraid I can't go to Ramsgate to-day," I said. "Why not?" he asked, suddenly changing his tone, and speaking sharply. I dare say it will seem ridiculous to some people, but it is really true that he shook my resolution to go to Major Fitz-David when he put his arm round me. Even a mere passing caress from him stole away my heart, and softly tempted me to yield.
A lock of red hair followed, with a lamentation in Latin under it, a note being attached to the date of dissolution of partnership in this case, stating that the lady was descended from the ancient Romans, and was therefore mourned appropriately in Latin by her devoted Fitz-David. More shades of hair and more inscriptions followed, until I was weary of looking at them.
With those ominous last words he bowed gravely and left me alone in the room. Still, my first feeling, when Major Fitz-David left me, was a feeling of heat and oppression, with its natural result, a difficulty in breathing freely. The nervous agitation of the time was, I suppose, answerable for these sensations. I took off my bonnet and mantle and gloves, and opened the window for a little while.
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