Free The adulteress by 1906- Philippa Carr Page A

child but I recognized it all. I never forgot her. You remind me of her in a way. It's your eyes—that deep blue, almost violet. I remember hers were that color. She wanted to marry some rake who'd fascinated her. They used to meet at

    Enderby. . . . That was the story. Then he disappeared . . . very mysteriously. . . . There were a lot of rumors later on. Some said he was murdered and his body lies under the ground somewhere at Enderby. Oh, there were a great many stories about her. I often think about her . . . now I'm so much confined to my bed. She was so full of life . . . and so beautiful. And she died so young . . . she couldn't have been more than in her early twenties. ... I often think about that. I'm old . . . ready to go, you might say. I've had my life. How do those feel who are cut off in the prime of youth and beauty ... a whole life before them . . . and then ... no more. I wonder someone like that doesn't try to come back . . . and finish her life. . . . You're thinking I'm a strange old man. Well, I am, I suppose. It's lying here . . . having time to think."
    I said: "I'm glad I came."
    "I can't tell you how glad I am. And you'll do this for me. You will . . . discreetly, I mean."
    "I will do what I can. Will you draw up what you want to say and give it to me? I'll take it to the lawyer and they can prepare what they have to. And then there'll have to be the signatures. It'll have to be done here, I suppose. Is there anyone who could do it? Jethro . . ."
    "No, not Jethro. I shall be leaving him something and I think therefore it's against the rules for anyone who is a beneficiary to sign. It has to be a disinterested party. You can find out from the lawyers."
    "Well," I said, "the first thing for you to do is write the instructions and then I will get them to the lawyer to be drawn up. After that we'll arrange about the signing."
    "I can see you are a practical young woman."
    "Can I find pen and paper somewhere?"
    "In the desk."
    I brought it to him and he started to write.
    I took my seat by the window. I wondered whether Jessie might return early, for it was possible that she might be uneasy on account of my being in the house. Also there was Evalina. I was sure that child was a practiced spy.
    I thought, what a strange situation I had walked into, and wondered what would have happened if Jean-Louis had been with me. I was sure he would have taken over the management of this matter with quiet efficiency.
    Uncle Carl was writing steadily. All was quiet. I listened to

    the clock on the wall ticking the minutes away. There was a feeling of unreality in the air.
    I looked back at the bed. Uncle Carl smiled at me.
    "Here it is, my dear. If you take that in to Rosen, Stead and Rosen and tell them that's what I want we'll go on from there. Rosen, Stead and Rosen," he repeated. "They are in the town. You can't miss them. Number Eighty, The Street. There's only one street worthy of the name."
    I took the paper.
    "Come and sit by my bed," he said. "Tell me about your husband. He manages Clavering, I know."
    "Yes, he has done so since the manager died. That was when we were married ten years ago."
    "This is a very large estate. Carew's a good man, I believe. But it's always better when the landowner himself takes an active part. It makes it more of a family affair ... if you know what I mean. These estates in England have always been run by the great families who regard their workpeople as a responsibility. The good ones have always taken an interest. I came to realize that . . . and when I did it was too late. I know the people regret the departure of my predecessors. The old ones talk a lot about them. I neglected my duty, Zipporah. I know it now."
    "Well, you have this good manager and you are trying to put your affairs in order."
    He nodded. "I've been an old reprobate ... an old sinner. Sins come home to roost, Zipporah. At least I've had a long life . . . not like poor Carlotta."
    I said I thought that Jessie