u wished to see her
here before you pledged yourself to inviting Lady Glyde. You are most
right, sir, in hesitating to receive the wife until you are quite
certain that the husband will not exert his authority to reclaim her.
I agree to that. I also agree that such delicate explanations as this
difficulty involves are not explanations which can be properly disposed
of by writing only. My presence here (to my own great inconvenience)
is the proof that I speak sincerely. As for the explanations
themselves, I--Fosco--I, who know Sir Percival much better than Miss
Halcombe knows him, affirm to you, on my honour and my word, that he
will not come near this house, or attempt to communicate with this
house, while his wife is living in it. His affairs are embarrassed.
Offer him his freedom by means of the absence of Lady Glyde. I promise
you he will take his freedom, and go back to the Continent at the
earliest moment when he can get away. Is this clear to you as crystal?
Yes, it is. Have you questions to address to me? Be it so, I am here
to answer. Ask, Mr. Fairlie--oblige me by asking to your heart's
content."

He had said so much already in spite of me, and he looked so dreadfully
capable of saying a great deal more also in spite of me, that I
declined his amiable invitation in pure self-defence.

"Many thanks," I replied. "I am sinking fast. In my state of health I
must take things for granted. Allow me to do so on this occasion. We
quite understand each other. Yes. Much obliged, I am sure, for your
kind interference. If I ever get better, and ever have a second
opportunity of improving our acquaintance--"

He got up. I thought he was going. No. More talk, more time for the
development of infectious influences--in my room, too--remember that,
in my room!

"One moment yet," he said, "one moment before I take my leave. I ask
permission at parting to impress on you an urgent necessity. It is
this, sir. You must not think of waiting till Miss Halcombe recovers
before you receive Lady Glyde. Miss Halcombe has the attendance of the
doctor, of the housekeeper at Blackwater Park, and of an experienced
nurse as well--three persons for whose capacity and devotion I answer
with my life. I tell you that. I tell you, also, that the anxiety and
alarm of her sister's illness has already affected the health and
spirits of Lady Glyde, and has made her totally unfit to be of use in
the sick-room. Her position w