The Moonstone - Page 176/404

She actually dragged him across the room to a chair by the window, where

the light would fall on his face. I deeply feel being obliged to report

such language, and to describe such conduct. But, hemmed in, as I am,

between Mr. Franklin Blake's cheque on one side and my own sacred regard

for truth on the other, what am I to do? I looked at my aunt. She sat

unmoved; apparently in no way disposed to interfere. I had never noticed

this kind of torpor in her before. It was, perhaps, the reaction after

the trying time she had had in the country. Not a pleasant symptom to

remark, be it what it might, at dear Lady Verinder's age, and with dear

Lady Verinder's autumnal exuberance of figure.

In the meantime, Rachel had settled herself at the window with our

amiable and forbearing--our too forbearing--Mr. Godfrey. She began the

string of questions with which she had threatened him, taking no more

notice of her mother, or of myself, than if we had not been in the room.

"Have the police done anything, Godfrey?"

"Nothing whatever."

"It is certain, I suppose, that the three men who laid the trap for you

were the same three men who afterwards laid the trap for Mr. Luker?"

"Humanly speaking, my dear Rachel, there can be no doubt of it."

"And not a trace of them has been discovered?"

"Not a trace."

"It is thought--is it not?--that these three men are the three Indians

who came to our house in the country."

"Some people think so."

"Do you think so?"

"My dear Rachel, they blindfolded me before I could see their faces. I

know nothing whatever of the matter. How can I offer an opinion on it?"

Even the angelic gentleness of Mr. Godfrey was, you see, beginning

to give way at last under the persecution inflicted on him. Whether

unbridled curiosity, or ungovernable dread, dictated Miss Verinder's

questions I do not presume to inquire. I only report that, on Mr.

Godfrey's attempting to rise, after giving her the answer just

described, she actually took him by the two shoulders, and pushed him

back into his chair--Oh, don't say this was immodest! don't even hint

that the recklessness of guilty terror could alone account for such

conduct as I have described! We must not judge others. My Christian

friends, indeed, indeed, indeed, we must not judge others!

She went on with her questions, unabashed. Earnest Biblical students

will perhaps be reminded--as I was reminded--of the blinded children of

the devil, who went on with their orgies, unabashed, in the time before

the Flood.

"I want to know something about Mr. Luker, Godfrey."

"I am again unfortunate, Rachel. No man knows less of Mr. Luker than I

do."