Between Two Wives; or, A Doctor's Dilemma

Front matter

BETWEEN TWO WIVES; OR H Boctor'0 SHlemma. BY WILLIAM TURVILLE 'Author of "Cousin Tom"). LONDON : SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & CO., LIMITED 1898. PRINTED BY THE WESTMINSTER PRESS (C. MARIES, LTD.), 411a HARROW ROAD, LONDON, W. CONTENTS. Book I. Dearly. Beloveo. PAGE Chapter I. "The Motive and the Cue for Passion" .. 3 „ II. Mistress and Maid 10 III. "Haw, haw!" 20 ,, IV. Feeling her way ... ... ... ... 29 V. Tittle-tattle 32 VI. Dorothy 45 VII. At Bodcombe Park 54 VIII. Under One Roof 60 IX. The Pride of Life 65 X. " Constancy dwells in realms above" ... 80 ,, XI. " The Dreary Moorland " 90 ,, XII. A Contrast... ... ... ... ... 99 „ XIII. Asperities m „ XIV. Star-gazing 117 „ XV. Off, and On 124 „ XVI. Gall and Nettles 133 „ XVII. Clap-trap 144 „ XVIII. Coughs and Colds 152 „ XIX. A Feint 157 ,, XX.

Alarums and an Excursion 165 „ XXI. On Dumpling Hill 169 „ XXII. The Garden Party 179 „ XXIII. Bridal Bells 198 Book II. Hma3ement. Chapter I. Shadows 205 II. "Dust and Ashes" 213 Contents. IV PAGE Chapter III. " Yes, He is a Flirt ! " 216 „ IV. The Little Rift 224 „ V. "A Mind Diseased" 234 „ VI. Jealousy 240 „ VII. Dorothyism 253 „ VIII. Washing Day 263 „ IX. " While this Machine is to Him " ... 276 „ X. "Fate and Metaphysical Aid" 283 „ XI. Ambulancing ... ... ... ••• 292 „ XII. Newsmongering 301 „ XIII, At Babblemouth 306 Boofc III. 1Rev>elation. Chapter I. "So Blessed Never" 313 „ II. Puerility 320 „ III. Stable Discipline 327 „ IV. A Dinner Pill 337 „ V. "The Means to do 111 Deeds" 353 „ VI. Put Yourself in Her Place 358 „ VII. Two Mouthpieces ... ... ... ... 366 „ VIII. Recognition 371 „ IX.

Judgment 376 „ X. Theodore's Points 395 ,, XI. " Revenge should have no Bounds " ... 402 „ XII. " For this Relief few Thanks " 406 „ XIII. " A-weary of the Sun " 414 „ XIV. Ebb and Flood 422 XV. Claimed 435 „ XVI. " After Me the Deluge "

Book I Dearly Beloved, B

BOOK I. CHAPTER

I. "THE MOTIVE AND THE CUE FOR PASSION." ll«JOW worthless was life without love ! An aimless vapid existence ; feelings that flowed as languidly as the sap of trees ; mere vegetation ! That was not living ! and although the pony was running away with her, and Laura Blackwell mechanically tried to stop him, she inwardly sympathised with his ardour, for she felt that her own thoughts were often quite as ungovernable. " Idiot ! " she exclaimed, not meaning herself, but the pony, who was tearing along as if possessed. But Random only bounded on faster and faster, as though the sound of her voice urged him to further impetuosity. It was un dignified, to say the least of it, to be jerked about as if she was a bundle of helpless baggage, but there seemed to be no remedy ; hold Random she could not ; so she supposed he must bolt until he had dissipated that super fluity of energy which a rest of three days in the stable had accumulated in his system, and she must submit to playing her involuntary part in the spectacle they would exhibit when they dashed into Babblemouth.

Helter skelter they rattled along, the carriage swaying and jolting about as if it too was as mad as the pony. He was all for dashing forwards ; the phaeton, on the other hand, seemed hanging back, and protesting in groans and creaks at every bump, as if the springs were in convul sions, or a series of young earthquakes or dynamite ex plosions were set in action by the friction of the wheels on

BOOK I.

the roadway. It was a chaotic contention between dead matter and animal vivacity, having no earthly aim unless to satisfy some little tickling in the cells of the pony's brain, and, looked at in that light, was a striking illustra tion of a great effect from a little cause, an illustration which Laura, who had plenty of nerve, grimly contemplated, not without a certain sympathy in its exultancy of evil power. What, she thought, were human lives ? The antics of puppets moved by Destiny, whose invisible hand meted out sorrow or happiness impassively ! Although Miss Blackwell was only three-and-twenty, well off, and so handsome that she was sometimes called " The Beauty of Babblemouth," and though to others her lot in life seemed promising enough, yet her thoughts were often bitter, and now and then, like a lightning flash, came the conviction that the cause of her deep discontent was inherent in her own nature.

Supposing she was killed, who would care, really ? Her father ? Yes, of that there was no doubt, and that there would be hardly anyone else was equally indubitable. Most of the others she could picture to herself exactly : their solemn, shocked looks ; their decorous curiosity as to how it happened, as they referred to the accident with a comfortable appreciation of their own safety. Why, she asked herself with a scornful smile — as Random tore along like some devoted minister of wrath appointed to kill her, and with no more effectual means of doing so than gallop ing on blindly — why could she inspire in no one human being that of which she herself felt so capable ? She had pulled and tugged at the reins, had sawed the pony's mouth without avail, and now contented herself with simply steering. She was reserving her strength, which was by no means inconsiderable, for the first turning

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'The Motive and the Cue for Passion? 5 on the right, which led to Babblemouth. At that corner two residents of the village, Mr. Ringletub and Mr. Shuffle botham, were engaged in what seemed a very interesting and excited colloquy. They were both about the same height, but otherwise very different in appearance : Ringle tub had a freckled face and red hair, with a wild, picturesque touch about him which was not altogether unprepossessing ; but Shufflebotham had a sallow complexion with dark hair, a wavering mouth and crafty eyes, and a manner vvhich to others appeared furtive, and to himself diplo matic. " Good heavens ! It's Miss Blackwell ! " cried Ringletub. " So it is ! " rejoined Shufflebotham. " Run and stop the pony, man ; I'll guard the turning." Ringletub, in no spirit of obedience, but apparently with some vague notion of heroic achievement, dashed down the road towards the flying vehicle, while Shufflebotham advanced to the centre ofthe turning, and stood with both arms extended, waving them up and down like an animated signpost.

Whether it was that Ringletub expended all his heroism in his first wild rush, or whether the rousing influence of his hurry-skurrying spurt woke him to the risk of what he was attempting, was not very obvious ; but his energies evaporated just as he seemed on the point of distinguishing himself. Having started towards the runaway at a tre mendous pace, he seemed all at once struck by the idea that it was coming towards him quite fast enough, and subsided into a walk ; then, as the phaeton came nearer still, he turned and stood with one foot extended, as if about to start in a race, and awaiting the signal with an acute sense of fair play ; and lastly, was so overpowered by his conscientiousness that, when he did run for the horse's head, he had no chance of catching it, but gallantly

BOOK I.

expended his panting breath in exclaiming to Shuffle botham : " Catch him, catch him ! " A sneer was on Laura's face, as with a rein twisted round each hand she set her feet firmly, and in a very de termined manner renewed the sawing process. Random shook his head, but was perforce compelled to slacken his pace a little ; then he suddenly caught sight of the turn ing, and dashed forwards with a bound, in no way deterred by the threatening aspect of the gesticulating Shuffle botham. Realising that his appearance was not ferocious enough to stop a runaway horse, Shufflebotham abandoned his character of a lion in the path, as he seemed to con sider it, for the less dignified but more discreet one of a man running for his life, and darted to one side with such alacrity that he banged against Ringletub, who had not ceased his display of zeal in contending with two legs against four, and each clasping wildly at the other the composition of forces landed them together in the ditch, in which, like a common grave, they were both engulfed.

A little laugh proceeded from the carriage, which, how ever, was unheard by the twins in misfortune. They were floundering together in the ditch and swearing at each other vigorously, while the phaeton rushed on, and Laura saw now another figure in the road, walking along towards her leisurely. He looked a tall, powerful man, and ap parently as nimble as he was powerful ; for after one quick glance he threw down his stick, stood quite still, and then, as the pony came galloping along, bounded at his head in a way that excited Laura's admiration, and with his hands on the bridle, and keeping pace with the animal yet dragging strongly against him, quickly but gradually brought the whole turn-out to a standstill. " Well done ! Thank you, Sir ! " exclaimed Laura.

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" The Motive and the Cue for Passion." 7 The gentleman looked at her and smiled, but did not relax his grasp of the bridle. He was a tall, handsome fellow, bearded and manly-looking ; there was nothing delicate about the lineaments of his face, they looked, on the contrary, rather rugged and rough-hewn, cast in a dignified mould like a lion's or a mastiffs, but lacking in finish as if dashed off at the impulse of some striking idea, and then left in contempt of finer touches. Laura had glanced at him with one of those summing-up looks with which women seem to demand the exhibition of heroic qualities, or in their absence to pass immediate condemnation ; but now as their eyes met she felt it was a supreme moment ; a silent crash seemed to go through her ; and then, as if she had received a perfect refutation of all criticism, her looks sank bashfully, and the coldness of conventional reserve melted away.

He continued to hold the animal with both hands, and remarked cheerfully, after a little pause which seemed to grace and dignify what he said : " Your pony is a little fresh ? " " He is a great deal too fresh," replied Laura, resuming with an effort her usual stately composure ; " but I think he has had about enough of it." "You had better let me tighten up the curb-chain, and lower the reins to the bar. That will give you sufficient control over him." " No doubt it will. Thank you for the suggestion"; and she repeated her thanks after it had been carried out, and while she was doing so Ringletub and Shufflebotham came up. "Thank God you are not hurt, Miss Blackwell!" ex claimed the former. " It was a most Providential escape," added Shuffle botham. " I think I partially mesmerised the horse ; his

BOOK I.

action became less capering, I noticed, after he saw me, although, of course, he could not stop himself all at once." " You ! You had nothing to do with it ! " cried Ringle tub. " A horse that wouldn't stop for me, wouldn't stop for you." And, indeed, Ringletub's red-haired, savage looking appearance made that seem very likely. " I am extremely indebted to you both," said Laura, with almost imperceptible irony. " I am sorry your efforts should have ended so disagreeably." " It was all that foo— his fault !" said Ringletub. " He danced about like a madman." " Mr. Ringletub is excited ; you must forgive him, Miss Blackwell ; he really doesn't know what he is saying." " I forgive you both," said Laura. " You had the best intentions, no doubt. But I fancy it was the other gentle man who stopped my horse."

At this the person referred to, who had watched the behaviour of Shufflebotham and Ringletub with a grave smile, observed courteously: " No doubt the horse was checked in the first place by your active exertions." " No doubt," calmly assented Shufflebotham ; " but," he added, with a look intended to be patronising, " allow me to offer my hearty thanks " " My dear Sir," burst out Ringletub, " the man's mad. If you had seen him flapping his arms about like a cock crowing, you would have been convinced of it." Shufflebotham shrugged his shoulders, and gave a look which implied that anyone who looked at him and observed his attitude of calm superiority, would at once perceive the insane character of this remark, and then, as if it was too obvious to dwell on, completed his speech : " for your timely services." " I think I must drive on now," remarked Miss Black-

BOOK I.

" The Motive and the Cue for Passion." 9 well. " Thank you all very much ! " She glanced at the three men, but in two languages. That to the stranger was ardent, and gave sincerity to her words ; while in the look with which she regarded the other two an ironical meaning might have been discernible. After watching the carriage go off at a steady pace, the horse now evi dently well in hand, the stranger exchanged a few civil remarks with the other two, whom he already knew slightly, and then resumed his walk, agreeably stirred by his little adventure, the striking appearance of Miss Blackwell, her coolness under circumstances which would have been quite sufficient apology for some trepidation, and, not least, by the glance with which she had favoured him at parting. Mr. Shufflebotham was a wine merchant, who also carried on a little quiet money-lending ; and Mr. Ringletub was an auctioneer, with a fairly prosperous business.

He had an outspoken, not to say rude way of talking, which most people laughed at, because it was easy to see that it ex pressed no real ill nature ; but it offended Mr. Shufflebotham, his crown and dignity, so to say, for he considered he had a good deal of brains in the former, and that Ringletub's manner was greatly lacking in respect. Yet the two men attracted each other in a sort of oscillating way, Ringletub hardly able to make up his mind that Shufflebotham was the fiend he sometimes thought him, while Shufflebotham would not forego the familiarity they had fallen into because he fully intended, with a perfect belief in his own cleverness, to give Ringletub a lesson one of these days vvhich should set him down for good and all ; but, in the meantime, this anticipation was greatly marred by Ringle tub's provoking speeches, which he persisted in all un conscious of the avalanche which would one day descend upon his devoted head.

BOOK I.

Chapter 2 wo. 10

Chapter II. Mistress And Maid

V^lHY are those brushes not put away? And why do you put that hand mirror on the left side of the looking glass ? " said Laura, to her maid, Lucy Lupton, in a sharp tone, which indicated that no reason whatever would be found satisfactory. " Beg pardon, Miss," answered Lucy, respectfully. She never dared to argue with her imperious mistress, and if the position found fault with had been in accordance with her explicit commands, Lucy would have, as meekly as she did now, reversed the arrangement. " And where did those roses come from ? " resumed Miss Blackwell, looking at a bunch of most beautiful blush roses just opening, arranged in a glass vase, where they were tastefully mingled with fern sprays. " Not from West Holme?" " Oh ! Yes, Miss. I thought you would like them. Aren't they lovely ?

" "That's not the point. How did you get them?" Laura felt annoyed at the suspicion that her maid had been ravaging Dr. Stirling's garden. He had lately bought out her father from the practice of Drs. Black well and Benson, and had purchased the house, West Holme, as well, and Miss Blackwell hoped he would never know of an action so ungracious. With demand and authority in her looks she bent a searching glance on her maid, who, shrinking and hesitat-

BOOK I.

ing, confessed to what Laura suspected. Lucy had been to see Mrs. Bates, Dr. Stirling's cook, had been tempted by the sight of the roses, and hastily justifying herself with the argument that it was Dr. Blackwell's house, had plucked the flowers to adorn her mistress's bed-chamber. Laura, in spite of her annoyance, felt, while the con fession was being made, a not unpleasing sense of her in fluence with the girl, for whom she had as much affection as she could feel for a servant, knowing well enough that if anyone besides her father loved her it was Lucy Lupton, to whom her mistress's word was law, and her sanction the highest authority. So Miss Blackwell's reproof was not very severe. Aware of Lucy's aspirations to gentility, her mistress dwelt on the proceeding as an infraction of all propriety.

In conclusion she remarked : " Now I shall have to apologise to Dr. Stir ling, when I make his acquaintance." This brought Lucy to her knees, figuratively. " Oh, I do beg your pardon, Miss ! I didn't think — "That's just it. You should think. Nevertheless, they are beautiful flowers," she added, satisfied with the effect of her words, and a little tickled at the idea of posing as a moral censor, for Lucy looked as penitent as could be, "and I suppose you meant to please me." Miss Black well sank down on a couch, and reading forgiveness in her expression Lucy exclaimed : "Oh, that I did Miss ! And I'm sure he wouldn't mind. I believe he's a perfect gentleman, a — a nobleman," added Lucy, seduced by the nice word ; " almost as much as Sir William Davenant is." " What's your idea of a perfect gentleman ?

" said Laura, with a smile. " Oh, you know, Miss Laura, better than I do." " Possibly. But what is your idea ? " " Well," said Lucy, after some consideration " the way he talks, and the way he walks He talks high like, and uses expensive words, and looks with it too, so that it means much more and walks about, proud.' " Indeed ! " — Laura repressed a tendency to smile— "and does Dr. Stirling do all that?" " I've never seen him yet, Miss ; and, of course, Staples (who was Dr. Stirling's groom), poor ignorant fellow, he don't know much, but my sister's seen him ; he's attending her. She says he talks so cheery, and looks so strong, as if he could cure you directly" " Oh, how is your sister getting on ? " " Very nicely, Miss, thank you. He's curing her, double quick. P'raps if I'd had him when I'd had rheumatic fever, I should have got through all right, like her ; and he cured Mrs. Buzzum of her lumbago, too ; and she had only one bottle of medicine."

Laura let her rattle on. She did not dislike a little gossip occasionally, when she could turn off the tap at pleasure. Moreover, she listened in hopes of possibly hearing something about the stranger ; for when interested in obtaining news, she never despised any channel of in formation. Of late Miss Blackwell had felt that life was becoming rather weary and monotonous. She had a natural bent for plotting and scheming, headstrong passions, but a calculating brain withal, which under their influence was stimulated to its highest activity. She had had, and in deed continued to attract, several admirers ; but she was rather given to sarcasm, and sometimes, in little lightning like flashes, displayed a temper at which they recoiled ; and as they fell off, one after the other, some of them wondered what manner of man would conquer this dis dainful beauty. She was generally condescendingly kind to Lucy, was very generous to her in the matter of cast-

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off dresses, would frequently listen with sympathy to her tittle-tattle ; and in consideration of her delicate state of health exonerated her from heavy duties, so that the girl considered her position extremely fortunate. Lucy admired her mistress, copied her in everything she could, and then tried on in the kitchen the graces she had observed in the drawing-room and practised privately in her own bed-chamber. Upon one or two occasions she had observed Miss Blackwell give a very dignified, slight, faintly scornful bow, in conversation , and Lucy, without consider ing the meaning of it, administered it to Mrs. Panting, the cook, who only stared, and then asked her if she had got a stiff" neck. Laura, too, had a way sometimes of giving her head a trifling, but very decided little toss, accompanied by a short, sharp, interrogative look, when ad dressed ; but when Lucy tried to imitate this exquisite little haughtiness towards Sarah Slippers, the parlourmaid, she only laughed, and said : " All right ; there's no extra charge for that," and went about for the rest of the day caricaturing the gesture so outrageously whenever she was spoken to that Banting and his wife quite laughed Lucy out of countenance ; and when, as a last refuge for her wounded feelings, Lucy tried to assume that cold, stern hauteur with which Miss Blackwell, when she was offended, would repel approach and cast silence like a shadow all round her, and Sarah Slippers coarsely observed that Lucy put her in mind of a pig seeing the wind, the lady's maid quite gave up her fellow-servants as irredeemably vulgar and hopelessly lost to all appreciation of gentility.

Laura dismissed her maid after listening awhile to her chatter, and descended to the drawing-room. Presently Dr. Blackwell, waking from his nap, and trying to look as ifhe had not been asleep, said to Laura, who was regarding him with a thoughtful air :

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"Well, my hunky daughter, and what are you thinking about ? " Her lips curled a little as she replied : " I am wondering which of us is most to be pitied ; you, with your idiotic hilarity, or myself " Laura stopped abruptly. " With your imperturbable calm, occasionally varied by cyclones, eh ? " and he laughed. " Well, I think you, my dear. In fact, I don't want any pity myself. I have my rose, and my roses," and he smiled fondly upon her. "You have nothing, only an old father, who can't make you happy' Dr. Blackwell spoke, however, without sadness ; in deed, now that he was sixty-five he took life far less seriously than he had done ten years ago. His daughter had observed this of late, thought it hardly made him more companionable, and, being of a brooding disposition, often wondered what it portended ; as she did now, while she sat back in her chair in a statuesque attitude of indifference, which became her well, and set off her expressive features with a figure which had something of a panther-like grace in its lissom movements and sleek repose.

" Don't you feel as if you missed something, Papa, now you have retired from practice?" " Miss something ? Of course ; I miss the collar, and very glad to miss it, too. And I have the satisfaction of seeing another man wearing it ! Ah, you haven't seen our new partner, Stirling, yet ? I wonder what you'll think of him ! He's got a humpback and a glorious squint, like forked lightning. Suit you, eh ? " " I really think, Papa, you talk more like a boy every day." " Glad you think so. I do feel as if I was growing younger." Dr. Blackwell jumped up as he spoke, gave a

BOOK I.

little whistle, and with his hands in his pockets looked out of the window. " Gad ! Talk of the devil ! Here comes the hunchback ! " Presently Dr. Frederick Stirling was announced, and Laura saw before her the man who had stopped her horse. He shook hands with Blackwell, who immediately after wards presented Stirling to Miss Blackwell. She had thought him handsome before, and now, at closer quarters, the impression was still stronger. His brow was massive, and gave that sort of emphasis to the rest of his features which a heavy head gives to a hammer — a suggestion of striking, driving force. Then his eyes, vvhich were rather small, or perhaps only seemed so from their shaggy brows, had a twinkling light in them, now shrewd, now humorous, now severe, but always seeming to come out of depths and not play on the surface.

His stature, which was taller than the average, his athletic build, and well-set-up carriage enhanced the effect of his expression, made his figure more striking, and marked him in any company with an individuality vvhich raised ex pectation and was not quickly forgotten. " I was just wanting to see you," said Dr. Blackwell. " Lady Davenant has asked me to call and see her governess to-morrow, and then, if you like, I could intro duce you." Laura almost thought she could observe in her father a sobering, dignifying effect, as if emanated from their heroic-looking visitor. " Thank you. I shall be very glad to avail myself of your offer." Commonplace words enough, but to Laura the richness of Stirling's deep voice, and the impressive effect of his slightly ceremonious acceptance of the offer, made his speech the perfection of dignified courtesy. book 1.

" Let us hope," said Blackwell, " that it may turn out a good substantial illness, running into weeks, and overtaken before its close by some nice little ailment amongst the children. They have been well for an unconscionable time." " Perhaps a speedy cure would be more impressive, and in the long run more profitable," observed Stirling, smiling a little. " Oh, dear no ! Then people think they were not seriously ill at all. It's a dispensation of Providence to keep up our spirits." It was then settled that Dr. Blackwell should call for Stirling at half-past ten the next morning, and drive him over to Bodcombe Castle, of which and its beautiful grounds Dr. Blackwell gave a sketchy description ; and as he rattled on Stirling listened politely. They continued talking. Laura did not say very much ; but her speech seemed regulated by a discreet amiability.

She renewed her thanks to Dr. Stirling for his timely aid, and Dr. Blackwell also expressed his obligation. In the course of their conversation the former learnt that she had been staying at Zedminster, the county town, for several months, which accounted for his not having met her before. He was just about to leave, when there was a hurried knocking at the door, and a maidservant entered, and ex claimed, addressing Laura : " Oh, Miss, Lucy's fainted ! " Laura started up. " Pray excuse us," she said hastily to Dr. Stirling. " Come and see her, Papa." Dr. Blackwell was also on his legs in a trice, and solved Stirling's slight embarrassment, who felt he was rather in the way, by saying cheerfully : " Come along — maid fainted — cardiac weakness — p'raps only hysteria," just as if he was a boy, inviting another to a pig-killing or some similar delectable entertainment. book i. Thinking he might possibly be of use, Dr. Stirling followed the others to the kitchen.

Lucy Lupton was reclining in the large Windsor armchair usually appro priated by the portly form of Mrs. Banting, the cook ; Sarah Slippers, the parlourmaid, who had summoned Miss Blackwell, stood aside staring alternately at Lucy and the party from the drawing-room ; while Mrs. Banting herself, her features purple and perspiring, was flapping Lucy's face slowly, with a sort of desperate courage, and watching the effect with kindly anxiety. " That's right ! " exclaimed Blackwell, directly he en tered the kitchen. "Lend me a hand, Dr. Stirling, will you ? " and between them they listed the girl on to the kitchen table. " Shall I fetch the sal volatile, Papa ? " said Laura. " Yes, cut along," he replied, industriously continuing the cold water application ; and Laura disappeared, while Stirling supported the patient's head, and asked Sarah Slippers if they had anything handy by way of a pillow.

" She has inherited the cardiac legacy of rheumatic fever," remarked Dr. Blackwell ; " aortic valvula^mischiet — ventricular hypertrophy — pain — small doses of hydro cyanic — temporary relief — organic disease — bad job ! " "Now, what was the cause of it?" he continued, turning to the other servants, and desisting from flapping the patient, as she now showed signs of coming to, which be came more and more decided every moment. " I believe it was the turnips, Sir," said Sarah. "Turnips, no, Sir," quickly put in Mrs. Banting, as if repudiating some deficiency in her own department. " It's they stories she's allus reading, 'bout ghosts and such like," she added, with a contempt which her own rotund figure, which certainly had nothing ghostlike about it, seemed to justify. The other domestics were rather jealous of book 1. c Lucy, who as lady's maid, and a favourite of Miss Black well's, was a little inclined to give herself airs, which her fellow-servants resented.