第83章

I HAD kept the pony-chaise ready, in case Mr.Franklin persisted in leaving us by the train that night.The appearance of the luggage, followed downstairs by Mr.Franklin himself, informed me plainly enough that he had held firm to a resolution for once in his life.

`So you have really made up your mind, sir?' I said, as we met in the hall.`Why not wait a day or two longer, and give Miss Rachel another chance?'

The foreign varnish appeared to have all worn off Mr.Franklin, now that the time had come for saying good-bye.Instead of replying to me in words, he put the letter which her ladyship had addressed to him into my hand.The greater part of it said over again what had been said already in the other communication received by me.But there was a bit about Miss Rachel added at the end, which will account for the steadiness of Mr.Franklin's determination, if it accounts for nothing else.

`You will wonder, I dare say' (her ladyship wrote), `at my allowing my own daughter to keep me perfectly in the dark.A Diamond worth twenty thousand pounds has been lost--and I am left to infer that the mystery of its disappearance is no mystery to Rachel, and that some incomprehensible obligation of silence has been laid on her, by some person or persons utterly unknown to me, with some object in view at which I cannot even guess.Is it conceivable that I should allow myself to be trifled with in this way?

It is quite conceivable, in Rachel's present state.She is in a condition of nervous agitation pitiable to see.I dare not approach the subject of the Moonstone again until time has done something to quiet her.To help this end, I have not hesitated to dismiss the police-officer.The mystery which baffles us, baffles him too.This is not a matter in which any stranger can help us.He adds to what I have to suffer; and he maddens Rachel if she only hears his name.

`My plans for the future are as well settled as they can be.My present idea is to take Rachel to London--partly to relieve her mind by a complete change, partly to try what may be done by consulting the best medical advice.

Can I ask you to meet us in town? My dear Franklin, you, in your way, must imitate my patience, and wait, as I do, for a fitter time.The valuable assistance which you rendered to the inquiry after the lost jewel is still an unpardoned offence, in the present dreadful state of Rachel's mind.

Moving blindfold in this matter, you have added to the burden of anxiety which she has had to bear, by innocently threatening her secret with discovery, through your exertions.It is impossible for me to excuse the perversity that holds you responsible for consequences which neither you nor I could imagine or foresee.She is not to be reasoned with--she can only be pitied.

I am grieved to have to say it, but, for the present, you and Rachel are better apart.The only advice I can offer you is, to give her time.'

I handed the letter back, sincerely sorry for Mr.Franklin, for I knew how fond he was of my young lady; and I saw that her mother's account of her had cut him to the heart.`You know the proverb, sir,' was all I said to him.`When things are at the worst, they're sure to mend.Things can't be much worse, Mr.Franklin, than they are now.'

Mr.Franklin folded up his aunt's letter, without appearing to be much comforted by the remark which I had ventured on addressing to him.

`When I came here from London with that horrible Diamond,' he said, `I don't believe there was a happier household in England than this.Look at the household now! Scattered, disunited--the very air of the place poisoned with mystery and suspicion! Do you remember that morning at the Shivering Sand, when we talked about my uncle Herncastle, and his birthday gift?

The Moonstone has served the Colonel's vengeance, Betteredge, by means which the Colonel himself never dreamt of!'

With that he shook me by the hand, and went out to the pony-chaise.

I followed him down the steps.It was very miserable to see him leaving the old place, where he had spent the happiest years of his life, in this way.Penelope (sadly upset by all that had happened in the house) came round crying, to bid him good-bye.Mr.Franklin kissed her.I waved my hand, as much as to say, `You're heartily welcome, sir.' Some of the other female servants appeared, peeping after him round the corner.He was one of those men whom the women all like.At the last moment, I stopped the pony-chaise, and begged as a favour that he would let us hear from him by letter.He didn't seem to heed what I said--he was looking round from one thing to another, taking a sort of farewell of the old house and grounds.

`Tell us where you are going to, sir!' I said, holding on by the chaise, and trying to get at his future plans in that way.Mr.Franklin pulled his hat down suddenly over his eyes.`Going?' says he, echoing the word after me.`I am going to the devil!' The pony started at the word, as if he had felt a Christian horror of it.`God bless you, sir, go where you may!' was all I had time to say, before he was out of sight and hearing.

A sweet and pleasant gentleman! With all his faults and follies, a sweet and pleasant gentleman! He left a sad gap behind him, when he left my lady's house.

It was dull and dreary enough, when the long summer evening closed in, on that Saturday night.