The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-06-19
THE WOMAN IN WHITE
BY WILLIAM w. COLLINS.


Cnooccs TOT you-Ht your auht hNN'N'
Ask Mrs. Nicholson"
The arrangement proposed was so un-
questionaby the right and the proper
one that i could make no possible OBJ
jection 10 a. Much as i sympathize
with her in her unjust pretudtces
against Count Fosoo. never before
met with any lady OF her rank and
station who was so iamentably narrow
minded on the subject OF foreigners
Neither her uncle's note nor Sir Perci-
vals increasing impatience seemed 10
have the least effect on her. She still
objected 10 staying a night In London:
she still implored her husband not TO
write TO the Count
Drop it, said Sir Percival. rudely
turning his back on us. IF you
haven't sense TO know what is best for
yourself. other people must know for
you. The arrangement r. made, and
there In an end OF II. You are only
wanted to do what Miss Halcombe has
done before you-y'
'Marian2" repeated her iadyship. in a
bewildered manner; Marian sleeping IN
Count Fosco's house,
"Yes, IN Count Fosco's house. She
slept there last night. to break the jour
ney. And you are to follow her example
and 10 do what your uncle tells you.
You are to sleep at Fosco's tomorrow
night. as your sister did. TO break the
Journey. Don't throw too many obsta-
cles in my way! don't make me repent
OF letting you go at all!'
He started TO his feet. and suddenly
walked out into the veranda. through
ihe open glass doors
''Will your ladyship excuse me-"
whispered. ''if / suggest that we had bet
ter not walt here till Sir Percival comes
back? i am very much afraid he Is
o oyere1cited with wine"
She consented to leave the room. IN
a weary. absent manner.
As soon as we were safe upstairs again
did all could to compose her ladyship' =
spirits. I reminded her that Mr.. Fair
lies letters to Miss Halcombe and to her
self did certainly sanction, and even
render necessary. sooner or later. the
course that had been taken. She agreed
to tfis, and even admitted, OF her own
accord. that both letters were strictly In
character with her uncle's peculiar dis
positon-but her fears about MISS Hal
ccmbe. and her unacoountable dread of
sleeping at the Counts house in London.
still remained mistaken. I'm spite of every
consideration that i could urge.
thought II my duty to protest against
Lady Glyde's unfavorable opinion OF his
lordship. and did so with becoming for
bearance and respect.
Your ladyship will pardon my free
DOM" remarked. I'm conclusion; but II
is said. by their fruits ye shall know
them I am sure the Counts constant
kindness and constant attention from the
very beginning OF Miss Halcombe's Ill
ness merit our best confidence and es-
TEEN. Even his lordship's serious misun-
with Mr.. Dawson was en-
tirely attributable to his anxiety on Miss
Halcombe's account"
what Misunderstanding" inquired
her ladyship. with a look OF sudden In
terest
I related the unhappy circumstances
under which Mr.. Dawson had withdrawn
his attendance-mentioni them all the
more readily because disapproved OF
Sir Percival's continuing to conceal what
had happened Gas he had done In my
presence) from the knowledge OF Lady
Clyde.
Her ladyship started UP with every ap-
pearance OF being additionally agitated
and alarmed by what had told her
''Woreel worse than I thought" she
said, walking about the room in n be-
wildered manner. "The Count knew Mr..
Dawson would never consent TO Marian &
taking a Journey-he purposely insulted
the doctor. to get him out OF the
house."
"oh. my ladyl my lady," remonstra-
ted.
Mrs. Michelson.' she went on. vehe-
mently, mo words that ever were
spoken will persuade me that my sister r.
In that mans power and In that mans
house with her own consent My horror
OF him is such that nothing Sir Percival
could say. and no letters my uncle could
write. would induce me. IL had only my
own feelings to consult. to eat, drink. or
sleep under his roof. But my misery of
-.
20 follow her anywhere--to fol-
low her even into Count Fosco's house"
I thought II right, at this poolnt. to
that Miss Halcombe had already
gone on to Cumberland, according TO
Sir Percivars account OF the matter.
IT am afraid to believe itr' answered
her ladyship. 'I am afraid she Is still
In that mans house. II j am wrong-if
she has really gone on TO Lmmeridge-I
am resolved will not sleep tomorrow
night under Count Fosco's roof. My
dearest friend In the world. next 10 my
ister, lives near London. You have
heard me, you have heard Miss Hal
combe. speak OF Mrs. veeey. / mean
TO write, and propose to sleep at her
house. ! don't know how shall get
there--I don't know how I shall avoid the
count--but 10 that refuge i will escape
In some way, II my sister has gone TO
All I ask or you 10 do IN 10
see yourself that my letter TO Mrs Yes
sy goes 10 London tonight as cedtainly
as Sir Percivrs letter goes TO Count Fos-
20. / have reasons for not trusting the
post-bag down stairs. Will you keep my
secret and help me In this7 II Is the
ast favor, perhaps. that shall ever ask
of you
I hesitated--I thought II all very
strange-I almost feared that her lady
ships mind had been n little affected by
recent anxiety and suffering. At my own
risk, however. ended by giving my con-
sent. III the letter had been addressed 20
, stranger. or 20 any one but lady 90
we'll known TO me by report as Mrs. We
,ey. might have refused. thank God
ooking TO what happened afterward-I
hank God never thwarted that wish. or
any other. which Lady Clyde expressed
10 me on the last day OF her residence at
Park.
The letter was written. and given into
NY hands. 7 myself put IL into the post
BOX I'm the village that evening.
We saw nothing moro OF SIR Percival
Tor the rest OF the day.
.t..t A.. rad., Nf,aos. or-y, Sesfro O.,