east lynne-第55章

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〃The　life　I　lead　is　dreadful！〃　cried　Richard。　〃I　might　make　up　my　mind　to　toil；　though　that's　hard；　after　being　reared　a　gentleman；　but　to　be　an　exile；　banned；　disgraced；　afraid　to　show　my　face　in　broad　daylight　amidst　my　fellowmen；　in　dread　every　hour　that　the　sword　may　fall！　I　would　almost　as　soon　be　dead　as　continue　to　live　it。〃

〃Well；　you　have　got　nobody　to　grumble　at；　you　brought　it　upon　yourself；〃　philosophically　returned　Miss　Carlyle；　as　she　opened　the　door　to　admit　her　brother。　〃You　would　go　hunting　after　that　brazen　hussy；　Afy；　you　know；　in　defiance　of　all　that　could　be　said　to　you。〃

〃That　would　not　have　brought　it　upon　me；〃　said　Richard。　〃It　was　through　that　fiend's　having　killed　Hallijohn；　that　was　what　brought　the　ban　upon　me。〃

〃It's　a　most　extraordinary　thing；　if　anybody　else　/did/　kill　him；　that　the　facts　can't　be　brought　to　light；〃　retorted　Miss　Carlyle。　〃Here　you　tell　a　cock…and…bull　story　of　some　man's　having　done　it；　some　Thorn；　but　nobody　ever　saw　or　heard　of　him；　at　the　time　or　since。　It　looks　like　a　made…up　story；　Mr。　Dick；　to　whiten　yourself。〃

〃Made　up！〃　panted　Richard；　in　agitation；　for　it　seemed　cruel　to　him；　especially　in　his　present　frame　of　mind；　to　have　a　doubt　cast　upon　his　tale。　〃It　is　Thorn　who　is　setting　the　officers　upon　me。　I　have　seen　him　three　or　four　times　within　the　last　fortnight。〃

〃And　why　did　you　not　turn　the　tables；　and　set　the　officers　upon　him？〃　demanded　Miss　Carlyle。

〃Because　it　would　lead　to　no　good。　Where's　the　proof；　save　my　bare　word；　that　he　committed　the　murder？〃

Miss　Carlyle　rubbed　her　nose。　〃Dick　Hare；〃　said　she。

〃Well？〃

〃You　know　you　always　were　the　greatest　natural　idiot　that　ever　was　let　loose　out　of　leading　strings。〃

〃I　know　I　always　was　told　so。〃

〃And　it's　what　you　always　will　be。　If　I　were　accused　of　committing　a　crime；　which　I　knew　another　had　committed　and　not　myself；　should　I　be　such　an　idiot　as　not　to　give　that　other　into　custody　if　I　got　the　chance？　If　you　were　not　in　such　a　cold；　shivery；　shaky　state；　I　would　treat　you　to　a　bit　of　my　mind；　you　may　rely　upon　that。〃

〃He　was　in　league　with　Afy；　at　that　period；〃　pursued　Richard；　〃a　deceitful；　bad　man；　and　he　carries　it　in　his　countenance。　And　he　must　be　in　league　with　her　still；　if　she　asserts　that　he　was　in　her　company　at　the　moment　the　murder　was　committed。　Mr。　Carlyle　says　she　does；　that　she　told　him　so　the　other　day；　when　she　was　here。　He　never　was；　and　it　was　he；　and　no　other；　who　did　the　murder。〃

〃Yes；〃　burst　forth　Miss　Carlyle；　for　the　topic　was　sure　to　agitate　her；　〃that　Jezebel　of　brass　did　presume　to　come　here！　She　chose　her　time　well；　and　may　thank　her　lucky　stars　I　was　not　at　home。　Archibald；　he's　a　fool　too；　quite　as　bad　a　you　are；　Dick　Hare；　in　some　things　actually　suffered　her　to　lodge　here　for　two　days！　A　vain；　ill…　conducted　hussy；　given　to　nothing　but　finery　and　folly！〃

〃Afy　said　that　she　knew　nothing　of　Thorn's　movements　now；　Richard；　and　had　not　for　some　time；〃　interposed　Mr。　Carlyle；　allowing　his　sister's　compliments　to　pass　in　silence。　〃She　heard　a　rumor；　she　thought；　that　he　had　gone　abroad　with　his　regiment。〃

〃So　much　the　better　for　her；　if　she　does　know　nothing　of　him；　sir；〃　was　Richard's　comment。　〃I　can　answer　for　it　that　he　is　not　abroad；　but　in　England。〃

〃And　where　are　you　going　to　lodge　to…night？〃　abruptly　spoke　Miss　Carlyle；　confronting　Richard。

〃I　don't　know；〃　was　the　broken…spirited　answer；　sighed　forth。　〃If　I　lay　myself　down　in　a　snowdrift；　and　am　found　frozen　in　the　morning；　it　won't　be　of　much　moment。〃

〃Was　that　what　you　thought　of　doing？〃　returned　Miss　Carlyle。

〃No；〃　he　mildly　said。　〃What　I　thought　of　doing　was　to　ask　Mr。　Carlyle　for　the　loan　of　a　few　shillings；　and　then　I　can　get　a　bed。　I　know　a　place　where　I　shall　be　in　safety；　two　or　three　miles　from　here。〃

〃Richard；　I　would　not　turn　a　dog　out　to　go　two　or　three　miles　on　such　a　night　as　this；〃　impulsively　uttered　Mr。　Carlyle。　〃You　must　stop　here。〃

〃Indeed　I　don't　see　how　he　is　to　get　up　to　a　bedroom；　or　how　a　room　is　to　be　made　ready　for　him；　for　the　matter　of　that；　without　betraying　his　presence　to　the　servants；〃　snapped　Miss　Carlyle。　And　poor　Richard　laid　his　aching　head　upon　his　hands。

But　now　Miss　Carlyle's　manner　was　more　in　fault　than　her　heart。　Will　it　be　believed　that；　before　speaking　the　above　ungracious　words；　before　Mr。　Carlyle　had　touched　upon　the　subject；　she　had　been　casting　about　in　her　busy　mind　for　the　best　plan　of　keeping　Richardhow　it　could　be　accomplished。

〃One　thing　is　certain；〃　she　resumed；　〃that　it　will　be　impossible　for　you　to　sleep　here　without　its　being　known　to　Joyce。　And　I　suppose　you　and　Joyce　are　upon　the　friendly　terms　of　drawing　daggers；　for　she　believes　you　were　the　murderer　of　her　father。〃

〃Let　me　disabuse　her；〃　interrupted　Richard；　his　pale　lips　working　as　he　started　up。　〃Allow　me　to　see　her　and　convince　her；　Mr。　Carlyle。　Why　did　you　not　tell　Joyce　better？〃

〃There's　that　small　room　at　the　back　of　mine；〃　said　Miss　Carlyle；　returning　to　the　practical　part　of　the　subject。　〃He　might　sleep　there。　But　Joyce　must　be　taken　in　confidence。〃

〃Joyce　had　better　come　in；〃　said　Mr。　Carlyle。　〃I　will　say　a　word　to　her　first。〃

He　unlocked　the　door　and　quitted　the　room。　Miss　Carlyle　as　jealously　locked　it　again；　called　to　Joyce　and　beckoned　her　into　the　adjoining　apartment。　He　knew　that　Joyce's　belief　in　the　guilt　of　Richard　Hare　was　confirmed　and　strong；　but　he　must　uproot　that　belief　if　Richard　was　to　be　lodged　in　his　house　that　night。

〃Joyce；〃　he　began；　〃you　remember　how　thoroughly　imbued　with　the　persuasion　you　were；　that　Afy　went　off　with　Richard　Hare；　and　was　living　with　him。　I　several　times　expressed　my　doubts　upon　the　point。　The　fact　was；　I　had　positive　information　that　she　was　not　with　him；　and　never　had　been；　though　I　considered　it　expedient　to　keep　my　information　to　myself。　You　are　convinced　now　that　she　was　not　with　him？〃

〃Of　course　I　am；　sir。〃

〃Well；　you　see；　Joyce；　that　my　opinion　would　have　been　worth　listening　to。　Now　I　am　going　to　shake　your　belief　upon　another　point；　and　if　I　assure　you　that　I　have　equally　good　grounds　for　doing　so；　you　will　believe　me？〃

〃I　am　quite　certain；　sir；　that　you　would　state　nothing　but　what　was　true；　and　I　know　that　your　judgment　is　sound；〃　was　Joyce's　answer。

〃Then　I　must　tell　you　that　I　do　not　believe　it　was　Richard　Hare　who　murdered　your　father。〃

〃/Sir/！〃　uttered　Joyce；　amazed　out　of　her　senses。

〃I　believe　Richard　Hare　to　be　as　innocent　of　the　murder　as　you　or　I；〃　he　deliberately　repeated。　〃I　have　held　grounds　for　this　opinion；　Joyce；　for　many　years。〃

〃Then；　sir；　who　did　it？〃

〃Afy's　other　lover。　That　dandy　fellow；　Thorn；　as　I　truly　believe。〃

〃And　you　say　you　have　grounds；　sir？〃　Joyce　asked；　after　a　pause。

〃Good　grounds；　and　I　tell　you　I　have　been　in　possession　of　them　for　years。　I　should　be　glad　for　you　to　think　as　I　do。〃

〃But；　sir；　if　Richard　Hare　was　innocent；　why　did　he　run　away？〃

〃Ah；　why；　indeed！　It　is　that　which　has　done　the　mischief。　His　own　weak　cowardice　was　in　fault。　He　feared　to　come　back；　and　he　felt　that　he　could　not　remove　the　odium　of　circumstances。　Joyce　I　should　like　you　to　see　him　and　hear　his　story。〃

〃There　is　not　much　chance　of　that；　sir。　I　dare　say　he　will　never　venture　here　again。〃

〃He　is　here　now。〃

Joyce　looked　up；　considerably　startled。

〃Here；　in　this　house；〃　repeated　Mr。　Carlyle。　〃He　has　taken　shelter　in　it；　and　for　the　few　hours　that　he　will　remain；　we　must　extend　our　hospitality　and　protection　to　him；　concealing　him　in　the　best　manner　we　can。　I　thought　it　well　that　this　confidence　should　be　reposed　in　you；　Joyce。　Come　now　and　see　him。〃

Considering　that　it　was　a　subdued　interviewthe　voices　subdued；　I　meanit　was　a　confused　one。　Richard　talking　vehemently；　Joyce　asking　question　after　question；　Miss　Carlyle's　tongue　going　as　fast　as　theirs。　The　only　silent　one　was　Mr。　Carlyle。　Joyce　could　not　refuse　to　believe　protestations　so　solemn；　and　her　suspicions　veered　round　upon　Captain　Thorn。

〃And　now　about　the　bed；〃　interjected　Miss　Carlyle；　impatiently。　〃Where's　he　to　sleep；　Joyce？　The　only　safe　room　that　I　know　of　will　be　the　one　through　mine。〃

〃He　can't　sleep　there；　ma'am。　Don't　you　know　that　the　key　of　the　door　was　lost　last　week；　and　we　cannot　open　it？〃

〃So　much　the　better。　He'll　be　all　the　safer。〃

〃But　how　is　he　to　get　in？〃

〃To　get　in？　Why；　through　my　room；　of　course。　Doesn't　mine　open　to　it；　stupid？〃

〃Oh；　well；　ma'am；　if　you　would　like　him　to　go　through　yours；　that's　different。〃

〃Why　shouldn't　he　go　through？　Do　you　suppose　I　mind　young　Dick　Hare？　Not　I；　indeed；〃　she　irascibly　continued。　〃I　only　wish　he　was　young　enough　for　me　to　flog　him　as　I　used　to；　that's　all。　He　deserves　it　as　much　as　anybody　ever　did；　playing　the　fool；　as　he　has　done；　in　all　ways。　I　shall　be　in　bed；　with　the　curtains　drawn；　and　his　passing　through　won't　harm　me；　and　my　lying　there　won't　harm　him。　Stand　on　ceremony　with　Dick　Hare！　What　next；　I　wonder？〃

Joyce　made　no　reply　to　this　energetic　speech；　but　at　once　retired　to　prepare　the　room　for　Richard。　Miss　Carlyle　soon　followed。　Having　made　everything　ready；　Joyce　returned。

〃The　room　is　ready；　sir；〃　she　whispered；　〃and　all　the　household　are　in　bed。〃

〃Then　now's　your　time；　Richard。　Good…night。〃

He　stole　upstairs　after　Joyce；　who　piloted　him　through　the　room　of　Miss　Carlyle。　Nothing　could　be　seen　of　that　lady；　though　something　might　be　heard；　one　given　to　truth　more　than　politeness　might　have　called　it　snoring。　Joyce　showed　Richard　his　chamber；　gave　him　the　candle；　and　closed　the　door　upon　him。

Poor　hunted　Richard；　good…night　to　you。



CHAPTER　XXX。

BARBARA'S　HEART　AT　REST。

Morning　dawned。　The　same　dull　weather；　the　same　heavy　fall　of　snow。　Miss　Carlyle　took　her　breakfast　in　bed；　an　indulgence　she　had　not　favored　for　ever　so　many　years。　Richard　Hare　rose；　but　remained　in　his　chamber；　and　Joyce　carried　his　breakfast　in　to　him。

Mr。　Carlyle　entered　whilst　he　was　taking　it。　〃How　did　you　sleep；　Richard？〃

〃I　slept　well。　I　was　so　dead　tired。　What　am　I　to　do　next；　Mr。　Carlyle？　The　sooner　I　get　away　from　here　the　better。　I　can't　feel　safe。〃

〃You　must　not　think　of　it　before　evening。　I　am　aware　that　you　cannot　remain　here；　save　for　a　few　temporary　hours；　as　it　would　inevitably　become　known　to　the　servants。　You　say　you　think　of　going　to　Liverpool　or　Manchester？〃

〃To　any　large　town；　they　are　all　alike　to　me；　but　one　pursued　as　I　am　is　safer　in　a　large　place　than　a　small　one。〃

〃I　am　inclined　to　think　that　this　man；　Thorn；　only　made　a　show　of　threatening　you；　Richard。　If　he　be　really　the　guilty　party；　his　policy　must　be　to　keep　all　in　quietness。　The　very　worst　thing　that　could　happen　for　him；　would　be　your　arrest。〃

〃Then　why　molest　me？　Why　send　an　officer　to　dodge　me？〃

〃He　did　not　like　your　molesting　him；　and　he　thought　he　would　probably　frighten　you。　After　that　day　you　would　probably　have　seen　no　more　of　the　officer。　You　may　depend　upon　one　thing；　Richard；　had　the　policeman's　object　been　to　take　you；　he　would　have　done　so；　not　have　contented　himself　with　following　you　about　from　place　to　place。　Besides　when　a　detective　officer　is　employed　to　watch　a　party；　he　takes　care　not　to　allow　himself　to　be　seen；　now　this　man　showed　himself　to　you　more　than　once。〃

〃Y