THE LEGACY OF CAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9142, 25 August 1888, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE LEGACY OF CAIN.

BY WILKIE COLLINS, Author .< "The Woman in White," "The " Author of lne GeniuSi » &c . l&c . [TUK RIGHT of translation is RESERVED.] CHAPTER XLIX. After leaving Eunice, my one desire was to be alone. I had much to think of, and I wanted an opportunity of recovering vself. On my way out of the house, in search of the first solitary place that I co uld discover, I passed the room in which we had dined. The door was ajar. Before I could get. by it, Mrs Tenbruggen stepped out and stopped me. •' Will you come here for a moment ?" she said. "The farmer has been called away, anil I want to speak to you." Very unwillinglybut how could I have refused without giving offence — entered the room. . „ •• When you asked for that explanation, Mrs. Tenbruggen began, " while Selina was in the carriage with us, you placed me in an awkward position. Our little friend if an excellent creature, but her tongue runs away with her sometimes; I am obliged to be careful of taking her too readily into my confidence. For instance, 1 have never told her what my name was before I married. Won't you sit down ? 1 had purposely remained stationary as a hint to her not "to prolong the interview. The hint was thrown away ; I took a chair. " Selina's letters had informed me," she resumed, "that Mr. Gracedieu was a nervous invalid. hen I came to England I had hoped to try what Massage might, do to relieve him. The cure of their popular preacher might have advertised me through the whole \Yesleyan sect. It was essential to my success that I should present myself as a stranger. I could trust time and change, and my married name (certainly not known to Mr. Gracedieu) to keep up my incognito. He would have refused to see me if he had known that I was once Miss Chance."

1 began to be interested. Here was an opportunity, perhaps, of discovering what, the Minister had failed to remember when lie had been speaking of this woman, and when I had asked if he had ever offended her. I was especially careful in making my inquiries. " I remember how you spoke to Mr. Gracedieu," 1 said, " when you and he met, long ago, in my rooms. But surely you don't think him capable of vindictively remembering some thoughtless words, which Heaped you sixteen or seventeen years

since •• I am not quite such a fool as that, Mr. Governor. What I w;is thinking of was an unpleasant correspondence between the Minister and myself. Before I was so unfortunate as to meet with Mr. Tenbruggen, ] obtained a chance of employment in a public Institution, on condition that 1 included a clergyman among my references. Knowing nobody else whom I could apply to, i rashly wrote to Mr. Gracedieu, and received one of those cold and cruel refuels which only the strictest religious principle can produce. I was mortally tended at the time ; and if your friend the Minister had been within my reach—" She paused, and finished the sentence by a •igniticant gesture. •• Well, I said, "he is within your reach

!3W. ••And out of his mind, 7 ' she added. "Besides, one's sense of injury doesn't last i except in novels and plays) through a ,erie> of years. I don't pity "him—there is all that remains of my anger now. It is possible that he may get better." She paused again. "And suppose he does get better?' I suggested. " Oh. then, I shall do what I intended to do when I came to England. The famous preacher shall advertise Massage, among the congregations. In the meantime, I suppose you understand, now, why I concealed my name from you, and why I kept out of the house while you were in it.' It was plain enough, of course. If I had known her again, or had heard her name, I might have told the Minister that Mrs. Tenbrutrgen and Miss Chance were one and the same" And if I had seen her and talked with her in the house, my memory might have shown itself capable of improvement. Having politely presented the expression of my thanks, I rose to go. She stopped me at the door. " One word more,"' she said, while Selina is out of the way. I need hardly tell you that I have not trusted her with the Minister's secret. You and I are, as I take it. the only people now living who know the truth about those two girls. And we keep our advantage." " What advantage ?" I asked. " Don't you know ?" '■ I don't indeed."

"No more do I. Female folly, and a slip of the tongue ; I am old and ugly, but lam still a woman. About Miss Eunice. Somebody has told the pretty little fool never to trust strangers. You would have been amused, if you had heard that sly young person prevaricating with me. In one respect her appearance strikes me. She is not like either the wretch who was handed, or the poor victim who was murdered. Can she be the adopted child ? Or is it the other sister, whom I have not teen yet ? Oh, come ! come! Don't try to look as if you didn't know. That is really too ridiculous."

You alluded just now," I answered, "to our ' advantge' in being the only persons who know the truth about the two girls. Well, Mrs. Tenbruggen, I keep my advantage."' "In other words," she rejoined, you leave me to make the discovery for myself. Well, my friend, I mean to do it !"

In the evening, my hotel offered to me the refuse of which I stood in need. I could think, for the first time that day, without interruption. Being resolved to see Philip, I prepared myself for the interview by consulting my Extracts once more. The letter in which Mrs. Tenbruggen figures inspired me with the hope of protection for Mr. Gracedieu, attainable through no less a person than Helena herself.

To begin with, she would certainly share Philips aversion to the Masseuse, and her dislike of .Miss Jillgall would just as possibly Extend to Miss Jillgall's friend. The hostile feeling thus set up might be trusted to keep watch on Mrs. Tenbruggen's proceedings, with a vigilance not attainable by the coarser observation of a man. In the svent of an improvement in the Minister's wealth, I should hear of it both from the locto! and from Miss Jillgall, and in that I should instantly return to my unlajipy friend and put him on his guard.

I started for London by the early train in jiie morning. -My way home from the terminus took me past the hotel at which the elder Mr. Dunhoy was staying. I called on him. He v 'as reported to be engaged ; that is to say, immersed in his books. The address on one of Philip's letters had informed me that lie was staying at another hotel. Pursuing my inquiries in this direction, I met with a severe disappointment. Mr. Philip Dunboy ne had left the hotel that morning ; for ,v hat destination neither the landlord nor die waiter could tell me. The next day's post brought with it the which I had failed to obtain. Miss Jillgall wrote, informing me in her strongest language that Philip Dunboyne '■ad returned to Helena. Indignant Selina added : " Helena means to make him marry her; and 1 promise you she shall fail, if I can stop it." In taking leave of Eunice, I had given lifer my address ; had warned her to be carelu -> it she and Mrs. Tenbruggen happened to meet again ; and had begged her to write to me, or to come to me, if anything happened to alarm her in my absence. In two days more, I received a line from Eunice, written evidently in the greatest agitation. " Philip has discovered me. He has been 'fere, and has insisted on seeing me. I have «used. The good farmer has so kindly my pau. I can write no more." CHAPTER L. the governor MAKES extracts. I next heard from Miss Jillgall, 'he introductory part of her letter merely Reminded me that Philip Dunboyne was -stabiished at the hotel, and that Helena *4si in daily communication with him. I •hall do Selina no injustice if my extract __®gins with her second page. ha»2 he Proprietors of the New Zealand Herald k> ? Purchased the sole right to publish this story ■ 9 JSorth Islajari at N«w Zealand.

"You will sympathise, I .am sure" (she writes) " with the indignation which urged me to call on Philip, and tell him the way to the farm-house. Think of Helena being determined to marry him, whether he wants to or not! I am afraid this is bad grammar. But there are occasions when even a cultivated lady fails in her grammar, and almost envies the men their privilege of swearing when they are in a rage. My state of mind is truly indescribable.. Grief mingled with anger, when I tell yon that my sweet Euneece has disappointed me, for the first time since I had the happiness of knowing and admiring her. What can have been the motive of her refusal to receive her penitent lover? Is it pride? We are told that Satan fell through pride. Euneece satanic'! Impossible ! I feel inclined to go and ask her what has hardened her heart against a poor young man, who bitterly regrets his own folly. Do you think it was bad advice from the farmer or his wife ? In that case, I shall exert my influence, and take her way. You would do the same, wouldn't you ? " lam ashamed to mention the poor dear Minister in a postscript. The truth is, I don't very well know what I am about. Mr. Gracedieu is quiet, sleeps better than he did, eats with a keener appetite, gives no trouble. But, alas, that glorious intellect is in a state of eclipse ! Do not suppose, because I write figuratively, that I am not sorry for him. He understands nothing; he remembers nothing ;he has my prayers. " You might come to us again, if you would only be so kind. It would make no difference now ; the poor man is so sadly altered. I must add, most reluctantly, that the doctor recommends your staying at home. Between ourselves, he is little better than a coward. Fancy his saying : ' No ; we must not run that risk yet.' 1 am barely civil to him, and no more. " In any other affair (excuse me for troubling you with a second postscript), my sympathy with Euneece would have penetrated her motives ; I should have felt with her feelings. But 1 have never been in love ; no gentleman gave nic the opportunity when I was young. Now I am middleaged, neglect has done its dreary work—my heart is an extinct crater. Figurative again ! I had better put my pen away, and say farewell for the present." Miss .lillgall may now give place to Eunice. The same day s post brought me both letters.

I should be unworthy indeed of the trust which this affectionate girl has placed in me, if I failed to receive her explanation of her conduct towards Philip Dunbovne, as a sacred secret confided to my fatherly regard. Knowing the motives by which she was really animated, I lirmly believe if is in his own best interests that she lias disappointed him. May the day come when lie will see it as clearly as I do. In those later portions of her letter which are not addressed to me confidentially, Eunice writes as follows :—

"I get news— what heartbreaking news ! — my father, by sending a messenger to Selina. It is more than ever impossible that 1 can put myself in the way of seeing Helena again. She has written to me about Philip, in a tone so shockingly insolent and cruel, that I have destroyed her letter. Philip's visit to the farm, discovered I don't know how, seems to have infuriated her. She accuses me of doing all that she might herself have done in my place, and threatens me—llo ! I am afraid of the wicked whisperings of that second self of mine if I think of it. They were near to tempting me when I read Helena's letter. But I thought of what you said, after 1 had shown you my journal; and your words took my memory back to the days when I was happy with Philip. The trial and the terror passed awav.

"Consolation has come to me from the best of good women. Airs. Staveley writes as lovingly as my mother might have written if death had spared her. I have replied with all the gratitude that I really feel, but without taking: advantage of the services which she offers. Mrs. Staveley has it in her mind, as you had it in your mind, to bring Philip back to me. Does she forget, do you forget, that Helena claims him But you both mean kindly, and 1 love you both for the interest that you feel in me. "The farmer's wife—dear good soul hardly understands me so well as her husband does. She confesses to pitying Philip. 'He is so wretched,' she says. ' And, dear heart, how handsome, and what nice winning manners! I don't think I should have had your courage, in your place, Tc tell the truth, I should have jumped for joy when I saw him at the door ; and I should have run down to let him in—and perhaps been sorry for it afterwards. If you really wish to forget him, my dear, I will do all I can to help you.' " These are trilling things to mention, but I am afraid you may think I am unhappy— and 1 want to prevent that. " I have so much to be thankful for, and the children are so fond of me. Whether I teach them as ell as I might have done, if I had been a more learned girl, may perhaps

be doubtful. They do more for their governess, I am afraid, than their governess does for them. When they come into my room in the morning, and rouse me with their kisses, the hour of waking, which used to be so hard to endure after Philip left me, is now the happiest hour of my day." With that reassuring view of her life as a governess, the poor child's letter comes to an end. CHAPTER LI. Miss Jillgall appears, again, after an interval, on "the field of my extracts. My pleasant friend deserves this time a serious reception. She informs me that Mrs. Tenbruggen has begun the inquiries which I have the best reason to dreadfor I alone know the end which they are designed to reach. The arrival of this news affected me in two different ways. It was discouraging to find that circumstances had not justified my reliance on Helena's enmity as a counter-influence to Mrs. Tenbruggen. On the other hand, it was a relief to be assured that my return to London would serve, rather than compromise, the interests which it was my chief anxiety to defend. I had foreseen that Mrs. Tenbruggen would wait to set her enterprise on foot until I was out of her way ; and I had calculated on my absence as an event which would at least put an end to suspense by encouraging her to begin. The first sentences in Miss Jillgall's letter explain the nature of her interest in the proceedings of her friend, and are, on that account, worth reading. " Things are sadly changed for {he worse" (Selina writes) ; " but I don't forget that Philip was once engaged to Euneece, and that Mr. Gracedieu's extraordinary conduct towards him puzzled us all. The mode of discovery which dear Elizabeth suggested by letter at that time appears to be the mode which she is following now. When I asked why, she said : 1 Philip may return to Euneece ; the Minister may recover—and will be all the more likely to do so if he tries Massage. In that case, he will probably repeat the conduct which surprised you ; and your natural curiosity will ask me again to find out what it means. Am I your friend, Selina, or am I not ?' This was so delightfully kind, and so irresistibly conclusive, that I kissed her in a transport of gratitude. With what breathless interest I have watched her progress towards penetrating the mystery of the girls' ages, it is quite needless to tell you."

Mrs. Tenbruggen's method of keeping Miss Jillgall in ignorance of what she was really about, and Miss Jillgall's admirable confidence in the integrity of Mrs. Tenbruggen, being now set forth on the best authority, an exact presentation of the state of affairs will be completed it I add a word more, relating to the positions actually occupied towards Mrs. Tenbruggen's enterprise, by my correspondent and myself. On her side, Miss Jillgall was entirely ignorant that one of the two girls was nob Mr. Graceideu's daughter, but his adopted child. On my side, I was entirely ignorant of Mrs. Tenbruggen's purpose in endeavouring to identify the daughter of the murderess. Speaking of myself, individually, let me add that I only waited the event to protect the helpless ones—my poor lost friend, and the orphan whom his mercy had received into his heart and his home. Miss Jillgall goes on with her curious story, as follows : — " Alwaysdesirous of makingmyself useful. I thought I would give my dear Elizabeth a hint which migh't save time and trouble. Why not begin, I suggested, by asking the Governor to help you That wonderful woman never forgets anything. She had already applied to you, without success.

,' In my next attempt to be useful I did violence to my most cherished convictions, by presenting the wretch Helena to the admirable Elizabeth. That the former would be cold as ice in her reception of any friend of mine was nothing wonderful. Mrs. Tenbruggen passedit over with thegraceful composure of a woman of the world. In the course of conversation, she slipped in a question : ' Might I ask, Miss Helena, if you are older than your sister ?' The answer was of course :' I don't know.' And here, for once, the most deceitful girl in existence spoke the truth. " When we were alone again, Elizabeth made a remark : 'If personal appearance could decide the question,' she said, "the disagreeable young woman is the oldest of the two. The next thing to bo done is to discover if looks are to be trusted in this case.

" My friend's lawyer received confidential instructions (not shown to me, which seems rather hard) to trace the two Miss Gracedieus' registers of birth. " His report arrived this morning. I was only informed that the result, in one case, had entirely defeated the inquiries. In the other case, Elizabeth had helped her agent by referring him to a birth, advertised in the customary column of the Times newspaper. Even here there was an obstacle. The name of the place in which Mr. Gracedieu's daughter had been born was not added as usual.

By comparison of dates, and by other clever means of investigation, the lawyer had found out the circuit in which Sir. Gracedieu was employed at the time of the birth. The registers at every place of worship in the town had been searched, and no entry discovered. 'If we could feel sure that the birth has been registered,' the lawyer reported, 'and if Mrs. Tenbruggen can afford the expense, we might search for the entry we want in every church and chapel, in asuccession of circles traced round the town asa centre. Have you the necessary patience, madam, and the necessary cash ? Alas for Elizabeth ! she had neither the one nor the other. Isn't it provoking ? " I tried to be useful for the third time. Had my friend known the Minister's wife? My friend had never seen the Minister's wife. And, as if by a fatality, her portrait was no longer in existence. I could only mention that Helena was like her mother. But Elizabeth seemed to attach very little importance to my evidence, if I may call it by so grand a name. ' People have such strange ideas about likenesses,' she said, • and arrive at such contradictory conclusions. One can only trust one's own eyes in a matter of that kind.'

" My friend next asked me about our domestic establishment. We had only a cook and a housemaid. If they were old servants who had known the girls us children, they might bo made of some use. Our luck was as steadily against us as ever. They had both been engaged when Mr. Gracedieu entered on duty in his present circuit.

I'After this last defeat of our hopes, I asked Elizabeth what she proposed to do next.

" She deferred her answer, until I had first told her whether the visit of the doctor might be expected on that day, I could reply to this in the negative. Elizabeth, thereupon, made a startling request; she begged, me to introduce her to Mr. Gracedieu.

"I said : 'Surely, you have forgotten the sad state of his mind?' No ; she knew perfectly well that he was imbecile. ' I want to try,' she explained, 'if I can rouse him for a few minutes.'

" ' By Massage?' I inquired. " She burst out laughing. ' Massage, my dear, doesn't act in that way. It is an elaborate process, pursued patiently for weeks together. But ray hands have more than one accomplishment at their linger ends. Oh, make your mind easy ! I shall do 110 harm, if Ido no good. Take me, Selina, to the Minister.

"We went to his room. Don't blame me for giving way ; 1 am too fond of Elizabeth to be able to disappoint her. " It was a sail sight when we went in. He was quite happy, playing like a child at cup-and-ball. The attendant retired at my request. I introduced Mrs. Tenbruggen. He smiled and shook hands with her. He said : ' Are you a Christian or a Pagan ? You are very pretty. How many times can you catch the ball in the cup?' The effort to talk to her ended there. He went on with his game, and seemed to forget that there was anybody in the room. It made my heart ache to remember what he was— and to see him now.

" Elizabeth whispered : with him.'

' Leave me alone

"I don't know why I did such a rude thing—l hesitated. "Elizabeth asked me if I had 110 confidence in her. I was ashamed of myself ; I left them together. " A long half-hour passed. Feeling a little uneasy, I went upstairs again, and looked into the room, lie was leaning back in his chair ; his plaything was on tne lloor, and he was looking vacantly at the light that came in through the window. I found Mrs. Tenbruggen at the other end of the room, in the act of ringing the bell. Nothing in the least out of the ordinary way seemed to have happened. When the attendant had answered the bell, we left the room together. Mr. Gracedieu took no notice of us. " ' Well,' I said, ' how has it ended?' " Quite calmly, my noble Elizabeth answered : ' In total failure.' " ' What did you say to him after you sent me away ?' " 'I tried, in every possible way, to get him to tell me which of his two daughters was the oldest.' " ' Did he refuse to answer? "' He was only too ready to answer. First, he said Helena was the oldest—then he corrected himself, and declared that Eunice was the oldest—then he said they were twins—then he went back to Helena and Eunice. Now one was the oldest, and now the other. He rang the changes on those two names, I can't tell you how often, and seemed to think it a better game than cup-and-ball.' " ' What is to be done ?' " 'Nothing is to be done, Selina.' " ' What!' I cried, ' you give it up ?' " My heroic friend answered : ' I know when lam beaten, my dear—l give it up.' She looked at her watch ; it was time to operate on the muscles of one of her patients. Away she went, on her glorious mission of Massage, without a murmur of regret. What strength of mind ! But, oh, dear, what a disappointment for poor little me ! On one thing lam determined. If I find myself getting puzzled or frightened, I shall instantly write to you." With that expression of confidence in me, Selina's narrative came to an end. I wish I could have believed, as she did, that the object of her admiration had been telling her the truth. A few days later, Mrs. Tenbruggen honoured me with a visit at my house in the neighbourhood of London. Thanks to this circumstance, I am able to add a postscript, which will complete the revelations in Miss Jillgall's letter. The illustrious Masseuse, having much to conceal from her faithful Selina, was well aware that she had only one thing to keep hidden from me—namely, the advantage which she would have gained if her inquiries had met with success. "I thought I might have got at what I wanted," she told me, " by mesmerising our reverend friend. He is as weak as a woman ; I threw him into hysterics, and had to give it up, and quiet him, or he would have alarmed the house. You look as if you don't believe in mesmerism."

"My looks, Mrs. Tenbruggen, exactly express my opinion. Mesmerism is humbug." " You amusing old Tory ! Shall I throw you into a state of trance? No ! I'll give you a shock of another kind—a shock of surprise. I know as much as you do about Mr. Gracedieu's daughters. What do you think of that?"

"I think I should like to hear you tell me which is the adopted child." " Helena, to be sure !"

Her manner was defiant, her tore was positive ; I doubted both. Under the surface of her assumed confidence, I saw something which told me that she was trying to read my thoughts in my face. Many other women had tried to do that. They succeeded when I was young. When I had reached the wrong side of fifty, my face had learned discretion, and they failed.

" How did you arrive at your discovery?" I asked. " I know of nobody who could have helped you." " I helped myself, sir ! I reasoned it out. A wonderful thing foe a woman to do, isn't it? I wonder whether you could follow the process ?" My reply to this was made by a bow. I was sure of my command over my face; bub perfect control of the voice is a rare

power. Here and there, a great actor or a great criminal possesses it. Mrs. Tenbruggen's vanity took me into her confidence. "In the first place," she said, " Helena is plainly the wicked one of the two. I was not prejudiced by what Selina had told me of her ; I saw it, and felt it, before I had been five minutes in her company. If lying tongues ever provoke her, as lying tongues provoked her mother, she will follow her mother's example. Very well. Now —in the second placethough it is very slight, there is a certain something in her hair and her complexion which reminds me of the murderess ; there is no other resemblance, I admit. In the third place, the girls' names point to the same conclusion. Mr. Gracedieu is a Methodist. Would he call a child of his own by the name of a Roman Catholic sunt ? No! he would prefer a name in the Bible ; Eunice is his child. And Helena was once the baby whom I carried into the prison. Do you deny that?"

" I don't deny it." Only four words! But they were deceitfully spoken, and the deceit —practised in Eunice's interests, it is needless to saysucceeded. Mrs. Tenbruggen's object in visiting me was attained ; I had confirmed her belief in the delusion that Helena was the adopted child. She got up to take her leave. I asked if she proposed remaining in London. No ; she was returning to her country patients that night. Her errand in the metropolis (well paid, as she took occasion to inform me) was to see a suffering lady, despaired of by the doctors, and to decide whether Massage might be tried as a forlorn hope. Mrs. lenbruggen, as an act of duty towards her professional self, refused to have anything to do with a desperate case. As I attended her to the house door, she turned to me with her mischievous smile. " I have taken some trouble in finding the clue to the Minister's mystery," she said. " Don't you wonder why "If I did wonder," I answered, "would you tell me why ?" She laughed at the bare idea of it. "Another lesson," she said, "to assist a helpless man in studying the woaker sex. I have already shown you that a woman can reason. Learn next that a woman can keep a secret. Good-bye. God bless you." Of the events which followed Mrs. Tenbruggen's visit it is not possible for me, 1 am thankful to say, to speak from personal experience. Ought I to conclude with an expression of repentance for the act of deception to which I have already pleaded guilty? I don't know. Yes ! the force of circumstances does really compel me to say it, and say it seriously—l don't know.

(To be continued.