"I have to stop here for a little while," said Sir Lionel, "to see a friend on business. We are not half-way to Dudleigh Manor yet; it"s further than you think."
He turned and went up the steps. Lady Dudleigh looked around once more, and then followed him. The men at the head of the steps looked at her curiously as she went in. She took no notice of them, however, but walked past them, looking calmly beyond them.
On entering the house she saw a bare hall covered with slate-colored oil-cloth, and with a table against the wall. A gray-headed man came out of one of the rooms, and advanced to meet Sir Lionel, who shook hands with him very cordially, and whispered to him a few words. The gray-headed man wore spectacles, was clean shaven, with a double chin, and a somewhat sleek and oily exterior.
"Lady Dudleigh," said Sir Lionel, leading the gray-headed man forward by the arm, "allow me to make you acquainted with my particular friend, Dr.
Leonard Morton."
Lady Dudleigh bowed slightly, and Dr. Morton made a profound obeisance that seemed like a caricature of politeness.
"Will you have the kindness to walk up stairs?" said he, and led the way, while the others followed him. Ascending the stairs, they reached a large room at the back of the house, which was furnished in the same stiff and formal way as the hall below. Over the mantel-piece hung an engraving, somewhat faded out, and on the table were a Bible and a pitcher of water.
The doctor politely handed Lady Dudleigh a chair, and made one or two remarks about the weather.
"Sir Lionel," said he, "if Lady Dudleigh will excuse us for a few moments, I should like to speak with you in private."
"Will you have the kindness, Lady Dudleigh," asked Sir Lionel, "to excuse us for a few moments? We shall not leave you long alone. And here is a book--an invaluable book--with which you may occupy your time."
He said this with such exaggerated politeness, and with such a cunning leer in his eyes, that his tone and manner were most grotesque; and as he concluded he took up the large Bible with ridiculous solemnity.
Lady Dudleigh merely bowed in silence.
"A thousand thanks," said Sir Lionel, turning away; and thereupon he left the room, followed by the doctor. Lady Dudleigh heard their footsteps descending the stairs, and then they seemed to go into some room.
For some time she forgot all about him. The place had at first surprised her, but she gave it little thought. She had too much to think of. She had before her a task which seemed almost impossible; and if she failed in this, there was before her that dread alternative which Sir Lionel had presented to her so plainly. Other things too there were besides her husband--connected with all who were dearest to her--her brother, perhaps, dying before he had accomplished his work; her son so mysteriously murdered; her other son awaiting her command to a.s.sist in bringing his father to death. Besides, there was the danger that even now might be impending over these--the danger of discovery. Sir Lionel"s desperate threats might have some meaning, and who could tell how it might result if he sought to carry out those threats?
Brooding over such thoughts as these, she forgot about the lapse of time, and at last was roused to herself by the entrance of a woman. She was large and coa.r.s.e and fat.
At the door stood another woman.
"Your room"s ready, missus," said the woman, bluntly.
Lady Dudleigh rose.
"I don"t want a room," said she. "I intend to go in a few minutes."
"Anyway, ye"d better come to your room now, and not keep us waitin","
said the woman.
"You needn"t wait," said Lady Dudleigh.
"Come along," said the woman, impatiently. "It"s no use stayin" here all day."
Lady Dudleigh felt annoyed at this insolence, and began to think that Sir Lionel had run away while she had forgotten about him. She said nothing to the women, but walked toward the door. The two stood there in the way.
"I will go down," said she, haughtily, "and wait below. Go and tell Sir Lionel."
The women stared at one another.
[Ill.u.s.tration: "SHE WAS DRAGGED ALONG HELPLESSLY."]
"Sir Lionel Dudleigh," said Lady Dudleigh, "is with Dr. Morton on business. Tell him that I am tired of waiting, or take me to the room where he is."
"Oh yes, "m," said one of the women; and saying this, she went down stairs.
In a few moments Dr. Morton came up, followed by the women. The two men who had been standing at the door came into the hall, and stood there at the foot of the stairs.
"Where is Sir Lionel?" was Lady Dudleigh"s first words.
The doctor smiled blandly.
"Well, he has just gone, you know; but he"ll soon be back--oh yes, quite soon. You wait here, and you may go to your room."
He spoke in an odd, coaxing tone, as though he were addressing some fretful child whom it was desirable to humor.
"Gone!" exclaimed Lady Dudleigh.
"Yes, but he"ll soon be back. You needn"t wait long. And these women will take you to your own room. You"ll find it very pleasant."
"I have no room here," said Lady Dudleigh, haughtily. "If Sir Lionel has gone, I shall go too;" and with these words she tried to move past the woman who was in front of her. But the woman would not move, and the other woman and the doctor stood there looking at her. All at once the truth dawned upon her, or a part of the truth. She had been brought here, and they would keep her here. Who they were she could not imagine, but their faces were not at all prepossessing.
"Oh, it"s all right," said the doctor, in a smooth voice. "You shall go to-morrow. We"ll send for Sir Lionel."
"Dr. Morton," said Lady Dudleigh, solemnly, "beware how you detain me.
Let me go, or you shall repent it. I don"t know what your motive is, but it will be a dangerous thing for you. I am Lady Dudleigh, and if you dare to interfere with my movements you shall suffer."
"Oh yes, oh yes," said the doctor. "You are Lady Dudleigh. Oh, of course. And now come, Lady Dudleigh; you shall be treated just like a lady, and have a nice room, and--"
"What do you mean?" cried Lady Dudleigh, indignantly. "This insolence is insufferable."
"Oh yes," said the doctor; "it"ll be all right, you know. Come, now; go like a good lady to your room."
"Are you mad?" exclaimed Lady Dudleigh, in amazement.
The doctor smiled and nodded.
"What do you intend to do?" asked Lady Dudleigh, restraining herself with a strong effort.
"Oh, nothing; we shall put you in a nice room, you know--all so pleasant--for you are not very well; and so. Susan, you just take the lady"s hand, and, Martha, you take the other, and we"ll show her the way to her room."
At this each of the women seized one of Lady Dudleigh"s hands quickly and dextrously, the result of long practice, and then they drew her out of the room. Lady Dudleigh resisted, but her strength was useless. She was dragged along helplessly, while all the time the doctor walked after her, prattling in his usual way about "the nice room," and how "comfortable" she would find it. At length they reached a room, and she was taken in. One of the women entered with her. Lady Dudleigh looked around, and saw that the walls were bare and whitewashed; the floor was uncarpeted; an iron bedstead and some simple furniture were around her, and a small grated window gave light.
It looked dreary enough, and sufficiently prison-like to appall any one who might be thus suddenly thrust in there. Lady Dudleigh sank into a chair exhausted, and the woman began to make her bed.
"My good woman," said Lady Dudleigh, anxious to get some clue to her position, "can you tell me what all this means?"
"Sure it"s all for the good of your health," said the woman.
"But I"m not ill."