w o r d s t o p u t a l a d y a w a y . T h e i r h o u s e w a s n e a r R e a d i n g . T h e i r c o a c h w a s odd-looking, with blinds like louvred shutters and, on its back, spikes. They came not to take Maud, though— not that time; only to study her. The taking came later.
Gentleman told her they were two of his painter friends. She seemed not to care. She let me wash her and make her dull hair a little neater, and tidy her gown; but then she kept to her chair, saying nothing. Only when she saw their coach pull up did she stare, and begin to breathe a little quicker— and I wondered if she had noticed the blinds and the spikes, as I had. The doctors got down. Gentleman went quickly out to talk with them, and they shook hands and put their heads together, and looked slyly up at our window.
Then Gentleman came back, and left them waiting. He came upstairs. He was rubbing his hands together and smiling. He said,
'Well, what do you think! Here are my friends Graves and Christie, come down to visit from London. You remember, Maud, I spoke to you of them? I don't believe they thought me really married! They have come to see the phenomenon for themselves.'
Still he smiled. Maud would not look at him.
'Shall you mind it, dear,' he said, 'if I bring them to you? I have left them now with Mrs Cream.'
I could hear them, then, in the parlour, talking in low, serious voices. I knew what questions they were asking, and what answers Mrs Cream would make. Gentleman waited for Maud to speak and, when she said nothing, looked at me. He said,
'Sue, will you come with me a moment?'
He made a gesture with his eyes. Maud gazed after us, blinking. I went with him to the crooked landing, and he closed the door at my back.
'I think you should leave her with me,' he said quietly, 'when they go to her. I shall watch her, then; perhaps make her nervous. It keeps her too calm, having you always about her.'
I said, 'Don't let them hurt her.'
'Hurt her?' He almost laughed. 'These men are scoundrels. They like to keep their lunatics safe. They'd have them in fire-proof vaults if they could, like bullion; and so live off the income. They won't hurt her. But they know their business, too, and a scandal would ruin them. My word is good, but they shall need to look at her and talk to her; and they shall also need to talk to you. You'll know how to answer, of course.'
I made a face. 'Will I?' I said.
He narrowed his eyes. 'Don't make game of me, Sue. Not now we are so close. You'll know what to say?'
I shrugged, still sulky. 'I think so.'
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'Good girl. I shall bring them first to you.'
He made to put his hand upon me. I dodged it and stepped away. I went to my little room, and waited. The doctors came after a moment. Gentleman came with them, then closed the door and stood before it, his eyes on my face.
They were tall men, like him, and one of them was stout. They were dressed in black jackets and elastic boots. When they moved, the floor, the walls and the window gave a shudder. Only one of them— the thinner one— spoke; the other just watched. They made me a bow, and I curtseyed.
'Ah,' said the speaking doctor quietly, when I did that. His name was Dr Christie.
'Now, you know who we are, I think? You won't mind, if we ask you what might seem impertinent questions? We are friends of Mr Rivers's, and very curious to hear about his marriage, and his new wife.'
'Yes,' I said. 'You mean, my mistress.'
'Ah,' he said again. 'Your mistress. Now, refresh my memory. Who is she?'
'Mrs Rivers,' I said. 'That was Miss Lilly.'
'Mrs Rivers, that was Miss Lilly. Ah.'
He nodded. The silent doctor— Dr Graves— took out a pencil and a book. The first one went on:
'Your mistress. And you are— ?'
'Her maid, sir.'
'Of course. And what is your name?'
Dr Graves held his pencil, ready to write. Gentleman caught my eye, and nodded.
'Susan Smith, sir,' I said.
Dr Christie looked at me harder. 'You seemed to hesitate,' he said. 'That is your name, you are quite sure?'
'I should say I know my own name!' I said.
'Of course.'
He smiled. My heart still beat hard. Perhaps he saw it. He seemed to grow kind. He said,
'Well, Miss Smith, can you tell us now, how long you have known your mistress . . .?'
It was like the time, at Lant Street, when I had stood before Gentleman and he had put me through my character. I told them about Lady Alice of Mayfair, and Gentleman's old nurse, and my dead mother; and then about Maud. I said she had seemed to like Mr Rivers but now, a week after her wedding- night, she was grown very sad and careless of herself, and made me afraid.
Dr Graves wrote it all down. Dr Christie said,
Afraid. Do you mean, for your own sake?'
I said, 'Not for mine, sir. For hers. I think she might harm herself, she is so miserable.'
'I see,' he said. Then: 'You are fond of your mistress. You have spoken very kindly of her. Now, will you tell me this. What care do you think your mistress ought to have, that would make her better?'
I said, 'I think— '
'Yes?'
'I wish— '
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He nodded. 'Go on.'
'I wish you would keep her, sir, and watch her,' I said in a rush. I wish you would keep her some place where no-one could touch her, or hurt her— '
My heart seemed all at once high in my throat, and my voice was spoiled with tears.
Gentleman still had his eyes upon me. The