LETTER, ARTHUR TO DR. SEWARD
"Albemarle Hotel, 31 August "My dear Jack,
"I want you to do me a favour. Lucy is ill, that is she has no special
disease, but she looks awful, and is getting worse every day. I have asked her
if there is any cause, I not dare to ask her mother, for to disturb the poor
lady's mind about her daughter in her present state of health would be fatal.
Mrs. Westenra has confided to me that her doom is spoken, disease of the heart,
though poor Lucy does not know it yet. I am sure that there is something
preying on my dear girl's mind. I am almost distracted when I think of her. To
look at her gives me a pang. I told her I should ask you to see her, and though
she demurred at first, I know why, old fellow, she finally consented. It will
be a painful task for you, I know, old friend, but it is for her sake, and I
must not hesitate to ask, or you to act. You are to come to lunch at Hillingham
tomorrow, two o'clock, so as not to arouse any suspicion in Mrs. Westenra, and
after lunch Lucy will take an opportunity of being alone with you. I am filled
with anxiety, and want to consult with you alone as soon as I can after you
have seen her. Do not fail! "Arthur." TELEGRAM, ARTHUR HOLMWOOD TO
SEWARD
1 September
"Am summoned to see my father, who is worse. Am writing. Write me fully
by tonight's post to Ring. Wire me if necessary."
LETTER FROM DR. SEWARD TO ARTHUR HOLMWOOD
2 September
"My dear old fellow,
"With regard to Miss Westenra's health I hasten to let you know at once
that in my opinion there is not any functal disturbance or any malady that I
know of. At the same time, I am not by any means satisfied with her appearance.
She is woefully different from what she was when I saw her last. Of course you
must bear in mind that I did not have full opportunity of examination such as I
should wish. Our very friendship makes a little difficulty which not even
medical science or custom can bridge over. I had better tell you exactly what
happened, leaving you to draw, in a measure, your own conclusions. I shall then
say what I have done and propose doing.
"I found Miss Westenra in seemingly gay spirits. Her mother was
present, and in a few seconds I made up my mind that she was trying all she
knew to mislead her mother and prevent her from being anxious. I have no doubt
she guesses, if she does not know, what need of caution there is.
"We lunched alone, and as we all exerted ourselves to be cheerful, we
got, as some kind of reward for our labours, some real cheerfulness amongst us.
Then Mrs. Westenra went to lie down, and Lucy was left with me. We went into
her boudoir, and till we got there her gaiety remained, for the servants were
coming and going.
"As soon as the door was closed, however, the mask fell from her face,
and she sank down into a chair with a great sigh, and hid her eyes with her
hand. When I saw that her high spirits had failed, I at once took advantage of
her reaction to make a diagnosis.