Lady Hartright

[Cathy_May]

This is my first novella written in English two years ago. I love western romance a lot, and when I was writing the story I was in my forth year in university, concentrating on reading Jane Austen. I hope it was not so badly written. Since my friends don't read English so much, I'd like to pulish it here and share with members here.

[Cathy_May]

I'm not yet so sure of how to use it

[Cathy_May]

One

Sylvia Hartright was my classmate when we were at school. We were very close friends. She was pretty, cheerful, lively and full of little wits, sweet-tempered, rarely got angry but easily fell into a strong passion. Yes, she was romantic, loving reading popular romantic novels and willingly imagining herself to be the most romantic and melancholy heroine in the novels she read. To tell the truth, her beauty and sweet nature could make her be a very attractive heroine in a moving love story, if her life would ever be a novel.

I loved my friend. I was also an affectionate reader of romantic novels. We enjoyed reading those stories with horror and melancholy love, such as the works of Mrs. Radcliffe. The Mysteries of Udolpho was always my favorite and Sylvia never disagreed with me. However, after leaving school we hadn’t met each other for two years but only contacted with each other by writing letters. We exchanged our feelings and opinions of the recent novels we read and also, told each other our recent respective life. She told me her life was lonely at home, and my letters always reminded her of our interesting school life. She hoped I could give her a visit some day and she would be most pleased. “What about coming to spend some months with me?” she wrote, “I’m sure my father will welcome you warmly and no one will ever disturb us like those old spinsters in our school. We can read novels, draw, play piano, dancing, walking and running as long as we can! Come! My dear friend! Come to Holywill! Don’t leave me alone at such a solitary place! I miss you considerably!” What could I say after reading her letter? Nothing except yes, I’d go as soon as possible.

Sylvia was from a wealthy family. Her father, Sir William, whom I had never met was said to be a cheerful and merry man. He loved dancing, grand parties, laughing and silly jokes. Everyone who had ever seen him said that he was a very agreeable gentleman and made you feel enjoyable to talk or spend time with him. Therefore, I always found it difficult to understand why Sylvia felt so lonely with such a father at such a home. There would be uncountable pleasant balls, lots of friends and young gentlemen who would fall in love with her passionately. But besides those, she still felt lonely. Yes, suddenly I got the answer. She had no mother, no any brothers or sisters. She was the only child of her parents, whether her mother died or not was a big mystery, for Sylvia had no memory of seeing her from her childhood and also, never heard of her death from anybody, including her father. Though sometimes her father would tell her Lady Hartright was dead many years ago of fever, she‘d never believe it. She knew her father was just inventing a false truth to her question and her old nurse, old Mary was always shedding tears when was asked of her ladyship and told Sylvia how pretty and amiable she had been and how deeply she had loved her father , but how she left her home, old Mary never told. It was always a mystery.

A week later I bid goodbye to my parents and started the journey. It was a sunny day, with mild soothing wind. The fine weather and the prospect of meeting my best friend made me feel delighted. My journey was begun with sunshine and it seemed my destination would be the same too. I imagined how glad Sylvia would feel to see me and how warm and cheerful she’d welcome me. My visit would be undoubtedly a very pleasant one.

The journey was long but didn’t make me feel dull. At last I arrived at Sylvia’s home, Holywill. It was a large building, the grandeur of which made it look like a castle. The mountain and valley around it were picturesque and melancholy and inside which stood the building in solitude. I suddenly understood why Sylvia possessed so much misery emotion. Sylvia was waiting for me in the drawing room. When I was led into the room she was pacing alone, looking very impatient. I told the servant not to announce my arrival and stood outside the open door, looking at her silently. Seeing her walking so excited and impatient in the room I laughed and cried softly, “Sylvie! See who is here!”

She turned back immediately, her eyes were sparkling, her face was glowing. “Oh, dear, dear Becky!” she ran to me at once and embraced me passionately. “How I missed you! I see you eventually!”

I smiled, “Be calm, my dear friend. Remember I’m only your friend but not your sweetheart.”

We both laughed loudly, my words made her slightly blush. “But I still feel so happy and excited! It’s true, Becky., that how many times I do wish we could be together forever, reading and walking but never getting married!”

I smiled, “Oh! What a bad wish! I hope it will never come true! I do need a darling husband.”

She looked a little disappointed and said; “Do you wish to leave me alone? I love you so much and see you as my only relative.”

Her childish words made me laugh again, “Dear Sylvia, I will not leave you alone. I’ll leave you to your dear husband. And besides, you have your cheerful and respectable father, so you have never been and shall never be alone.”

She looked grave after hearing my words and sighed softly. Her countenance made me feel slightly worried about her. I asked her carefully: “Sylvia, is there anything happened? Why are you sad and feel so lonely? Will you tell me?”

She didn’t answer right away but paused for a while. Her countenance looked strange. It seemed that she had something to tell but still found it difficult to express. Her face was over-shadowed with an unfathomable sorrow. What was the matter with her? Did her father treat her ill? It seemed impossible! It’s said he was such a cheerful and pleasant man, and besides, how could he treat his only child with cruelty! Then, did she fall in love with somebody? Perhaps, it could be, for her father knew so many friends and the big parties and grand balls were not the rare things in this building. Yes, it must be. After thinking this I asked directly: “My dear Sylvia, could it be possible, you fall in love with a gentleman!”

Sylvia was startled by my words, she blushed and said: “How can it be? No, Becky, I do wish there’d be a gentleman who is as romantic as those in novels could fall in love with me. It would make me feel most happy, but….”

“But what?” I was puzzled at her hesitation. She wasn’t like this when we were at school.

“I, I feel sorry for my father…”

“Sorry for your father? Is there anything happened on him?”

“No, but, you cannot understand it. Your family is always so happy!” She stopped, her eyes began to be brimming with tears.

“What happened, Sylvie? What’s wrong? Does your father get any serious illness?”

“No, no. I’d rather he does, for he’d treat me warmer and spend more time with me.”

“Oh, Sylvie, what malicious words you are saying! You cannot be so cruel to your father!”

“You don’t understand it, Becky. He doesn’t love me. He is cheerful, generous to his friends, loving dancing and women, anything but me! He rarely talks to me, laughs at my emotion and be deaf to my words. It’s true, my dear Becky. I’d never like to stay at home. He‘d never treated me as a daughter. How I wish I was your sister and brought up in your family!”

I was greatly surprised by her words. When we were at school she had never said these things to me. Yes, she rarely talked about her family, but I thought the reason she did so could be of the mystery of her mother. However, it seemed I was wrong. Could her father be as cold as she described? It seemed impossible. Sylvia was weeping, her tears made me feel sorry for her. Perhaps her words were true, who else could know him more than his own daughter? I tried to console her with the tenderest words. But just at that moment a strong, heavy and loud human noise were heard outside the door. I was wondering who it could be, and in a second the door was thrown open and in came a large stout old man. His face was brimming with full and big smiles, his clothes was the most fashionable, a sort of strong perfume could be smelled from his body even far from him. He looked cheerful, his eyes were sparkling as those of Sylvia when she saw me. Yes , those pair of eyes told me, he was Sir William.

“Welcome! Welcome! My young lady!” He spoke with cheerful and loud voice, his big smiles made me cannot help feeling warm and pleased. ” Are you Miss Osborn? My daughter’s dearest friend! Yes, I know you! You don’t need to introduce yourself, for my ears were already full of praise of you!”

Sylvia immediately forced a smile and said: “Becky, this is my father. He looks glad to see you”

“Looks glad? No, it is not true! I am very glad to see Miss Osborn and I’m glad to see any friend of my family members!”

I smiled and said: “I’m very glad to see you too, Sir.”

Sir William took my hand, kissed it and said with a wink from his eyes: “Charmed!”

He looked so merry, his heavy-powdered face made me feel pleasant and amused. He must admire French fashion very much. His wig, his clothes and big diamond rings on his fingers told me of his taste of beauty. I really couldn’t imagine such a merry man can ever be cold to anybody, especially to his daughter!

“Sylvie, you must be happy now, for your friend has come. And what do you wish for this home, Miss Osborn? I can satisfy any of your little wishes.”

“I want nothing Sir. It’s very kind of you. My only wish is that I can spend everyday happily with Sylvie and that’s enough.”

“That’s enough? You are so easy to be contented, my young lady! It’s not a good thing. A beautiful young lady like you should demand anything difficult to do from a humble gallant man, such as, me”

Sir William winked meaningfully at me again, his expression made me feel slightly uncomfortable.” Well, Sir, I’m certainly not as beautiful as you have described and moreover, my mother has taught me that modesty and humbleness are always the most important virtue for well-bred ladies.”

I found Sir William’s face slightly changed, he paused for a second, but soon recovered his usual cheerfulness and said: “Excellent! Excellent! I admire Mrs. Osborn as well as I admire you. I’m sure you are a very good daughter of your respectable mother. But, I’ll do something which shall offend your mother, perhaps, for I’ve decided to give you a grand welcome ball! Yes, the grandest one ever in this hundred-year-old building! You cannot refuse me, my dear Miss Osborn. Remember, I’ve decided!”

“Then the only thing I should do is to thank you for your kindness, Sir. It’s the first time we see each other, but you’ve already see me as your own daughter. I’m much obliged to you.”

“Not at all! Not at all I’m most charmed!” He laughed loudly, his laugh sounded like intolerable noise. I began to find it easier to believe Sylvia’s words.

[Cathy_May]

Two

It seemed that Sir William had forgotten his promise, for he left home the next day. The house fell silent after his departure. The silence made everything look more solitary. I didn’t mind at all because Sylvia and I would enjoy ourselves as merry as we could. But Sylvia disagreed with me and looked much disappointed, “You see,” she said resentfully, “he forgets his words so soon and so easily! He never remembers my wishes, my words, my happiness or my sorrows! Is he my father? I cannot help doubting about it!”

“Oh, my dear Sylvia, you don’t know what you are saying! You cannot be so cruel to your father!”

“I’m not! I swear I’m not! If he could ever love me as he loves those whore-like women I’d….”She stopped, looking too angry and excited to find any possible words.

“My dear Sylvie, I’m sure your father loves you deeply. Remember you are his only child and your mother is not here, who could he ever love? No one but you!”

Sylvia fell silent, neither tried to deny me nor agreed with me. I thought she was thinking about my words and her father’s behavior. I could understand her. A child who had no mother and no siblings must wish the whole, undivided love from her only relative. Her life was lonely, she needed to be loved. But her father was a man who loved too many things, it seemed poor Sylvia could do nothing but endure her sufferance.

I was just to say anything when she suddenly said: “Well. After all he will have the ball, for he loves dancing and beautiful women so much that he cannot bear any minute of silence. And besides, dear Becky, it seems that he likes you …”She looked at me archly, I blushed. I wanted to say something but she prevented me by calling her nurse, old Mary. “You haven’t seen her, I’m sure. Come, she is the dearest person here to me!”

Old Mary came. She was a healthy, short and stout woman with red face and swelling eyes. It seemed that she had cried too much. But she looked happy while being introduced to me, she kissed me affectionately and spoke with ready tears in her eyes: “Glad to see you Miss Osborn! Miss Sylvia won’t feel lonely any more. I know you two are best friends. You are dearer to her than I am. But I’m not jealous. I’m an old woman. Who could love an old woman more? But my Miss has done much. She is the only person who has ever loved me so dearly and seen me as her mother. But of course, Lady Hartright, Miss Amelia loved me more. She always called me her dearest sister. She is the loveliest lady I’ve ever known. She was an angel. But she is not here any more. God knows where she is now! She must suffer everyday for not seeing her lovely daughter. Miss Sylvia is as lovely as she has been…” She stopped and began to weep soundly. I felt embarrassed, didn’t know what to say. Sylvia frowned and blamed her that “Mary, you cried again! Control yourself, please! Don’t make my friend feel miserable here. My home is not a miserable place!”

Old Mary blushed and said:” Yes, Miss. You are quite right! I always annoy you by my miserable memory of your mother, but you don’t know how lovely she has been! Only…”

“Stop, Mary! I’ll get angry! Go to kitchen to find something for us to eat. I’m sure Miss Osborn is quite hungry after hearing your so much crying.”

Old Mary blushed and said sorry to me and then ran out immediately. Sylvia smiled at me and said: “Don’t mind it Becky. She is always like that, ever since I know her. She has been my mother’s maid from her home, so she loves her above all the world.”

“I understand it, Sylvie. But where is Lady Hartright now? Is she dead or has she gone somewhere? Why did she leave you alone?”

Sylvia sighed and said: “That’s just what I want to know so many years, but no one has ever given me any plausible answer. Old Mary only knows to shed tears and my father, “She hesitated for a while and then continued “Sometimes he says she is dead and sometimes he says he cannot remember.”

“How unbelievable! He cannot remember!”

“Yes, it is my father. He never really loves anyone. He simply forgets it.”

I didn’t speak then, Sir William’s strange behavior and Lady Hartright’s unpleasant disappearance made me feel very uncomfortable. I couldn’t help feeling that there would be something happen in this house. The feeling made me chill.

After eating some tasty biscuits we went out to walk and didn’t try to talk about it again. Thus, for some days we kept silent about it but only read, drew and played piano. Sylvia was not only a good pianist but also a music composer. She composed some little songs and I wrote the poems for them, then we sang them for fun. We felt rather happy and proud of our task and sang and laughed everyday.. I thought Sylvia had forgotten her misery of her family and would never mention anything about her parents. However, I was wrong. One day when we were walking around the large building she said:” Do you want to see my mother’s portrait? It is in the big hall.”

“Yes, I’d love to if you give me such honor.”

“Come then.” She led me to the big hall. It was large and magnificent. A number of .pictures was hung on the wall. “They are all my ancestors.” said Sylvia, “But I don’t know them and have no such wish either. But I know which one is of my mother. Here!” She pointed to one and led me before the portrait,” See how beautiful she was! So admirable!”

I looked at the portrait, in which there stood a handsome young lady, at the age of 20 or so. She was in a white satin gown with light blue ribbons. Her hair was hazel with lovely curls, her eyes looked soft, her face a little pale. It seemed she was enveloped by a sort of sorrow. Yes, she was as lovely as an angel. Her angelic appearance made me wonder if she could ever be a real person. Perhaps she was really an angel who fell into the world by a false step and married Sylvia’s father, after bearing her, left them and went back to heaven.

I was attracted by my own imagination and was enjoying it myself when Sylvia stopped me by saying: “Look at her hand. There is a large Sapphire ring on one of her fingers. It’s said it was her marriage ring, if it is, it must be from my father. Yes, sometimes he has good taste for fashion. This ring is dazzlingly beautiful. How I wish I’d own the same from my husband when I get married one day!”

I smiled, “Certainly you shall! Dear Sylvie, any man would venture his life for giving you such a ring, even if it could only be found on the moon.”

She laughed and said: “You must be joking. No, I don’t believe there could be such a man….Never, never…”

“How can you be so sure?” I noticed she blushed slightly and immediately found something from her expression. “Sylvie, you didn’t tell me the truth. You… fell in love…”

Sylvia’s face got fever at once and smiled: “No, Becky….”

“You cannot deny it. Your expression has already betrayed you. Tell me, who is it? Let your best friend enjoy your happiness with you. Don’t be selfish!”

“Well, a…man…”

“Of course he must be a man! Mr.….”

“Th….” She stopped and smiled.

“Mr. T? A Mr. T? Well, Sylvie, I know your secret now. No wonder you are always lonely. That must be the problem. Tell me. Tell me!”

Sylvia only smiled but said nothing. She hid her eyes from mine and blushed. I continued to ask her but she refused to tell all of them, and suddenly she changed the theme to say: “Do you know how many rooms there are in the house? I even don’t know it myself! There are so many rooms which have never been used since the house was built and there are also many of them were not used for many years. We all lived in the East wing of the house, but it’s said when my father was young he usually lived in the West. Old Mary told me he had hidden a woman there for some time. She was his mistress.”

“Really?” I was much astonished by her words and fell silent.

“No one goes to the West wing now. It is a silent place. Even the guests wouldn’t live there, for the house is too big. But I sometimes go there…”

“You? Why? Are you looking for something? It must be frightful!”

“I wanted to find my mother.”

“Your mother?”

“Yes. I always feel she is there, waiting for me. I will find her and I went there secretly.”

“Have you ever found anything?”

“Not quite, but a locked room…”

“A locked room? Oh, Sylvia, you must be dreaming. It is not in Mrs. Radcliff’s novels, it is your home.”

Sylvia didn’t listen to me but kept saying: “Yes, I found it. How strange it is! It is the only room which is locked. My father never locks any room, for he says you must give any room enough freedom. If anyone wants to walk in, he has his right and the room must allow him. He said this himself and there is no locked room in the house except that one.”

I didn’t know what to say. I had to confess that I was much astonished and frightened by Sylvia’s words. I came here to find pleasure, not horror. Though I loved reading Gothic novels I’d never wish I could live in one. And beside, I didn’t wish any such unpleasant thing could happen on my dearest friend. She was an angel and she had to be happy.

“Sylvie, forget this. You read too many novels. You cannot imagine those horrors could happen in this house! Remember, it is your home! Forget this, like your father forgetting your little wishes.”

“I cannot Becky. I cannot.” She looked rather determined. “No matter what you say, my mother’s disappearance is an enigma. Why did she disappear? Where could she go? Why we cannot find her these years? Where is she now? At least we must find her body. But there is just nothing! My father never cares about anything but himself. But I care. Although I’ve never seen my mother I love her, a thousand times more than I love my father! How can she leave me so cruelly when I was so young! It is impossible! Something horrible must have happened on her. I’ll find her. I will! Even if it is her skeleton!”

She said these words with such a passion which made me feel indescribably scared. I felt it impossible but I couldn’t deny it was a mystery and big problem. Where could Lady Hartright be now?

“Will you help me?”

“What?”

“Will you help me to find her?”

“I? Can I? I don’t know. I’d be very glad to help you but Sylvie, it is dangerous.”

“I don’t fear it. I want my mother. Help me! You don’t know how a motherless child misses her mother. Help me, will you? You are always my best friend!”

“Yes, perhaps. If you wish. But how?”

“Oh, dear Becky! I know you will. I love you so much! You are always my dearest!!”

“All right, Sylvie. Just tell me how.”

“Go to the room again and try to open it.”

“It is horrible!”

“Yes. But it is the only way.”

“But Sylvie, suppose there is nothing, suppose it is only your imagination…”

“I don’t care. I just want to open it. We will go there together.”

“All right. If you wish, I’ll go with you. But only once.”

“All right. I’m so glad you’ll help me!”

“But remember, it is dangerous and must be disappointing or perhaps even disgusting. Do you know what you are doing? Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m quite sure. I’ve waited for this day for long time. I know you’ll help me, for we are the closest friends in the world.”

Looking at her eyes, I found fire sparkling in them. I had nothing to say.

[Cathy_May]

Thanks everyone for reading. I'll continue to publish the story. I found I forgot to say that I'm a Chinese student in Japan.

[Cathy_May]

Three

We agreed to go to the locked room the next night. However, in the next morning Sir William came back unexpectedly.

“Young ladies! Young ladies! Guess what present I brought for you!” Sir William looked rather excited and cheerful as usual. He didn’t change at all but only in the new fashion.

“Which I won’t guess, Sir. For I know you will bring nothing but another boring ball.” said Sylvia immediately. She didn’t notice how agitating her words would be to her father. I touched her hand lightly, but she didn’t seem to care about it.

Sir William didn’t look much annoyed but kept his big smiles as usual. Perhaps he was used to his daughter’s annoying words, he just ignored them and never cared. “Ah, you are right, Sylvie! There shall be another ball. The grandest! I’ve promised Miss Osborn before I left. There’ll be many guests to come and some of them shall live here for some months, as long as they can. Then our dear Sylvie won’t feel lonely any more! There’ll be many new young men to know. Hohoho!” When he said these he didn’t look at his daughter but at me. He winked and I sensed there was some special meaning in his eyes. “Miss Osborn, an admirable woman. Are you happy here? What do you think of my house?”

“It’s very kind of you to ask me, Sir. I’m very happy here with my friend. And your house, I think, is the most splendid one I’ve ever seen. Anyone who is living inside must have a happy life.”

“Bravo! Bravo! Miss Osborn, you are too kind! Let me take your hand and show my admiration to you, my loveliest and most respectable lady” He took my hand and kissed it affectionately. I felt very uncomfortable and tried to draw my hand but failed. He held it tightly and didn’t show any desire to move his wet mouth from it.

“Sir! I think you forget, Miss Osborn is a young lady and my best friend.”

Sir William stopped at once and said: “Yes. You are quite right, my dear!” but he didn’t let go of my hand, “Miss Osborn, did you write to your dear mother recently?”

“Yes. I just posted my last one yesterday.”

“Well, did you mention me to your respectable mother?”

“Well….” I was much embarrassed.

“Never mind Never mind! My dear lady. Next time, when you write to Mrs. Osborn, remember to mention my admiration to her and her angelic daughter.” After saying that he squeezed my hand meaningfully, winked to me and let go of it. I blushed and bent my head. Sir William’s words and behavior made me feel rather uncomfortable and embarrassed.

He left us then and went to ask the servants to prepare for the ball. Sylvie said: “I’m sorry for my father’s foolish behavior. Did he offend you?”

“No, not at all. Only….a little uncomfortable.”

“I’m sorry, but don’t mind it. He is a foolish man. He cannot control himself before beautiful young women. Ignore him and he shall disturb you no more.”

“I won’t mind. It’s nothing.”

“I’m glad to hear that. But, it seemed our plan has to be delayed. So disappointing! He always came back at the most unwanted time!”

“It’s unjust, Sylvie. He is the master of the house, he has his right to come back at any time he chooses. But I’m happy he is back and brings the ball. Perhaps….I’ll have the pleasure to have a look at your Mr. T.”

Sylvie blushed at once and smiled. “Perhaps, he would come.” She was lost in her own thoughts for a while and then suddenly said: “But no one can be dearer than you, my dearest Becky. You are the only person I cherish with all my heart.”

“Thank you, Sylvie, me too.”

A week later, Sir William’s guests came. There are about 70 people, young and old gentlemen, beautiful and ugly ladies. They came with cheerfulness and big smiles. They walked in the house freely, talked to each other as if they knew each other much. It seemed that it wasn’t the first time they came here. “They are the usual guests,” said Sylvia, “Many of them have come more than 15 times and I’m sure they are all boring and foolish!”

“Including your Mr. T?”

“No, of course not.”

“Is he here? Has he come?”

“I’m not sure. I’m looking for him too.”

Sylvia watched the guests impatiently. She looked worried and nervous. I couldn’t help laughing at her pale face. It annoyed her slightly and she said: “It’s unjust, Becky. If one day you fall in love with somebody you’ll feel the same.”

“Perhaps.” I said.

“You don’t know love. It’s sweet with sorrow and bitter with happiness.”

I laughed, and then a young gentleman’s voice came, “What a lovely explanation for this most indescribable human emotion! Splendid!”

We both turned to look at the person who spoke. Sylvia blushed right away. It was a young handsome gentleman at the age of about seven and twenty, tall, well-figured, with cheerfulness in his eyes and handsome smiles on his face. I knew who he was at the first sight, he was Sylvie’s Mr. T.

“Are you Mr. T?” I asked at once.

He looked a little surprised and then said: “Is that the way my dear Miss Hartright describes me to you? Did she tell you I was a Mr. T?”

I smiled. ”Yes, it is true.”

“No, Becky. It is not.”

“Don’t try to deny it. It’s the truth.”

Sylvia blushed and said nothing.

“Well, may I introduce myself to this charming young lady or just remain as a Mr. T?” said the young gentleman.

I laughed, “Tell me who you are, the mysterious Mr. T. Take off your mask and let me see your true face.”

He laughed too. “My name is Henry Thompson. I shall be your humblest servant, my admirable Lady.” He took my hand and kissed it.

“I’m very glad to see you, Mr. Thompson.”

“And who are you, my admirable lady? Would you tell me whether you belong to heaven or the world.”

I laughed again, “Surely I belong to this maddeningly crowded world. My name is Rebecca Osborn.”

“Charmed!” He bowed and I curtsied.

Thus, I met this Mr. Thompson at last. That night Sylvia told me all her secrets about his dear Henry. How handsome he was! How elegant he dressed! How gentle and pleasant he was towards her. How clever and humorous his speech was, etc. Sylvia was feverish in her passionate love for this Mr. Thompson and only until then did I realize how crazy she was about this “most excellent gentleman”.

The next days we kept being together, walking, talking and singing. Mr. Thompson sang all of the little songs composed by Sylvia and me and prized them with the most beautiful words. “Splendid! Splendid! Such beautiful and moving verses! Miss Osborn, I was much moved by your excellent poems.”

“You are very kind, Mr. Thompson. But you forget, if there were not these beautiful music composed by my dearest friend, my poems would be just nothing.”

“Yes, you are quite right! Miss Hartright, your music is splendid too. I admire it with all my heart!”

Sylvia smiled happily and then Mr. Thompson said to me; “But Miss Osborn, may I keep this poem as my own. I love this one best. May I have such honor?”

“It’s my honor, Sir.”

“Thank you. Thank you very much! I’ll cherish it as my own life! Splendid! Splendid!” He took the poem, reading it as he walked out merrily. I noticed that Sylvia looked a little unhappy, which made me feel uneasy. She didn’t say anything but continued playing piano, the song she was playing was to the poem which Mr. Thompson just took away.

The “biggest” ball came at last. All guests danced cheerfully, especially Sir William. He danced every dance with every lady, never sat down to have a rest or talked to any person. He was too busy with his own pleasure. I gradually realized that Sylvia’s opinion of her father was right. He was selfish and frivolous, liking flirting with young ladies, drinking and laughing. I wondered how he treated Lady Hartright when she was here and how she endured such a selfish man! Her life must have been miserable. I was sure Sir. William had never truly loved his wife. No wonder Old Mary cried so sadly and Lady Hartright could disappear so many years without being ever thought of or found. Sir William was too busy to bother to think of her. She was just the past.

Sylvia and Mr. Thompson were dancing. They smiled merrily. I felt happy for them. A middle-aged lady walked quietly to me and said: “How happy they are with each other! I’m sure they could be a good match!”

I looked at the Lady. She was dressed in elegance, her face was covered by heavy makeup. But the powder couldn’t conceal her gradually changing face. When she smiled the wrinkles immediately appeared on the corner of her eyes. I looked at her with slight embarrassment. She was a stranger to me. ”I’m sorry, I cannot remember…”

“Oh, never mind! You never saw me and don’t know me of course. I’m Madam Claudel, the best friend of Sir William.”

“Oh, nice to see you, Madam Claudel. I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you.” I know her. Sylvia told me she was her father’s old lover. It was she who had been hid in the West wing. She had been Sir William’s mistress for many years.

“Miss Hartright and Mr. Thompson. What a happy couple they would be! Sir William thinks very good of his daughter’s marriage to this young gentleman. He is remarkably wealthy.”

“Miss Hartright would rather marry for love, I believe.”

“Love!” She laughed. “Love is devil to marriage. Don’t fall in love if you ever want to marry well. To marry both for money and love! That can only happen in the novels!”

“Perhaps you could be right, Madam Claudel. But I think Miss Hartright and Mr. Thompson shall marry with both money and love.”

“Can she be so lucky!” said Madam Claudel scornfully.

“Yes, of course! Miss Hartright is as lovely as her mother and I’m sure her beauty and virtue worth any gentleman to scarify even his own life!”

“Hahaha,” Madam Claudel laughed meaningfully, “Her mother is a miserable woman.”

“Is? Then is she still alive?”

Madam Claudel looked slightly uneasy and said: “Perhaps…who knows? She has disappeared for so many years. We never could find her. How miserable!”

“You? Have you ever tried to?”

“Well, not us, of course. But Sir William tried. He has been so miserable for losing her. He said he’d lose her forever. What an angelic woman Lady Hartright has been! As angelic as her daughter.”

I looked at her. She was watching Sylvia and Mr. Thompson. I saw resentment and hatred sparkling in her eyes. “We’ll marry her. She is of the age.”

“Marry her! That sounds too inhuman. And who are you? Is it your business to decide who Miss Hartright should marry with?”

Madam Claudel smiled, “You are challenging me, young lady. Take care, you are facing Madam Claudel. Don’t behave like your dear friend. If you insist, you shall be in danger.”

“I am not afraid of you, neither Miss Hartright. Don’t disturb us, and we will not disturb you.”

“Excellent!” She looked at me resentfully. “I wish we’d never disturb each other. But, be careful!”

She left me after saying this. I looked at her back. She was beautiful, but her beauty made her appear like a witch. She is dangerous, to us and to this family. What should we do? How should we get on with her? Oh, Sylvia, you are in danger!

[Cathy_May]

Four

“So, what do you think of Madam Claudel’s words?” After the ball I told Sylvia the conversation between Madam Claudel and me, “Do you know much about her?”

“Not so much, but enough.”

“What sort of woman is she? Are you afraid of her?”

Sylvia laughed scornfully, “Afraid of her! Never! But I know she is a witch. She has bewitched my father for many years. Ever since I have the memory of my father I have the memory of her.”

“Does your father love her?”

“Perhaps. My father is a foolish man. He has no idea of what he should do or how to do. He listens everything to this witch.”

“How did he know her?”

“I don’t know that so much, but Old Mary has told me that Madam Claudel was a ballet dancer before she knew my father in France.”

“It seems your father loves France a great deal. French fashion, French taste and French woman.”

We both laughed and Sylvia said: “Yes, quite so! He spends most time of his life in France.”

“Because he loves Madam Claudel?”

“Because he loves French women!”

“So your father has other mistresses too.”

“Of course! Do you know, one day I suddenly felt curious about what he was doing everyday. He never spent any minute with me, never tried to talk to me, care for me, worried about me. He always seemed so busy and so merry. What was he doing? I walked quietly to his room in the afternoon, stopped before his door. The door was closed. I listened, there was coming out some strange and terrible noise. I tried the door, it was not locked, so I opened it quietly…”

“And what did you see?” I felt very excited about her description, too impatient to allow her to finish it.

Sylvia’s eyes were sparkling with mysterious, she smiled and said: “They were kissing each other and rolling up and down on bed!”

“Oh!” I blushed, “It must be very unpleasant!”

“Hahaha!” Sylvia laughed at my uneasiness, “I dare say, to my father it is very pleasant! Very pleasant indeed!”

“But Sylvia, how could you! It’s not like you!”

“Not like me? Then what sort of person am I? Are you sure what sort of person I really am? Becky,” She looked slightly grave, “Everybody could change, especially if he or she is living in such a house!”

Sylvia’s words made me feel sorry for her. I remembered when at school we were so innocent and cheerful girls. Sylvia loved dressing in soft pink and fastening red ribbons on her hair. We were always chatting and giggling in or out of class. The teachers felt headache for us but were usually mocked at by Sylvia. I could never forget the laughable and pitiful faces of those old spinsters, they would say: “Miss Hartright! I’ll tell your unbecoming behavior and speech to Sir William!” After hearing this Sylvia would always sneered and said: “Go then! I’m not afraid of you! I just want to know what my father would say. I’m as curious as you!” The teachers could only be silent and try to endure Sylvia, for Sir William had never been in our school, my teachers were as curious as me to see this gentleman.

Perhaps I could understand what Sylvia was doing and thinking of now. If her family had ever been as happy as mine, she would be another naughty but sweet tempered girl.

“What are you thinking, Becky?” I found Sylvia was looking curiously at me. I blushed and said: “Well, I was wondering if your father saw you. Was that woman Madam Claudel?”

“Yes, he saw me, for I couldn’t help crying out. He got extremely furious and shouted at me. That woman looked at me too. She had beautiful moon-shaped eyes but she wasn’t Madam Claudel.”

“Oh, suppose she knew it!”

“Perhaps she does. Who knows?”

I didn’t speak. We both fell silent for a while, and then I said: “Sylvie, it is dangerous.” I looked at her gravely, “Leave this house, leave your father and this woman. They don’t love you. Treat them as they treat you. Leave them forever, or I fear that you’ll be in danger.”

“Leave?” She laughed sadly, “Where to go? To your home? Will you welcome me?”

“Don’t be silly, Sylvia. Get married, to marry with a man who loves you.”

“Love me? Who?”

“Mr. Thompson, of course! Who else? I am sure you will be happy and your father will feel glad too!”

I didn’t expect my words could make Sylvia suddenly look grave and miserable. “Do you think he loves me?”

“Yes, certainly! Why do you doubt about it?

“Becky,” She hesitated, and then began with nervous voice, “Tell me, do you ever think, have you ever felt…that…”

“What?” I asked curiously.

“That…he could be loving some one else….”

“Some one else? Impossible! What are you thinking about? You’ve said too much unbecoming and strange words today. Who else in this house could be prettier and lovelier than you! You are an angel!”

Sylvia laughed, “Becky, angels are sacred but not lovable.”

“Oh, Sylvia! It’s unfair! Mr. Thompson possesses a very tender affection towards you, I’m sure of that. Perhaps it is not love yet, but it shall become love. And moreover, you cannot expect the passion you read in novels, for love is a more serious and precious emotion”

Sylvia smiled but I sensed she had something on her mind. Her look and her situation made me feel more and more worried about her, but who could help her? I was just a young girl, though I wished I could but there was hardly anything useful could be done by me. Her father was foolish and Madam Claudel was like a poisonous snake, she could do anything harmful on my friend. Oh, God! Help her! Help this loveliest angel! You had already dropped her mother in misfortune, but please save her daughter!

[Cathy_May]

Five

That evening Sylvia got headache and didn’t have her dinner. She insisted on staying in her room alone and refused anyone’s entrance to disturb her. I thought it because of my words about Madam Claudel. This woman had given her so many pains in her life and her recent words must have hurt Sylvia’s sensitive emotion again. As I thought of Madam Claudel’s words about Sylvia and Mr. Thompson’s marriage I sensed she didn’t really think they could be happy together but still felt impatient to send Sylvia out of her own house. As a mistress of Sir William, she had enough reasons to sweep his daughter out of her world, for to Madam Claudel herself, Sylvia was a trouble and perhaps her potential enemy. She desired to control Sir William but Sylvia could rob her father from her and challenged her power. Sylvia was not that naïve, naughty but sweet-tempered girl any more. If I could notice it, Madam Claudel would have noticed long before.

I had nothing to do but walking in the house idly. I admired the magnificence and grandeur of the building and especially loved those portraits and pictures hung on the walls. I lingered in the corridor, appreciated the pictures one by one, and suddenly the portrait of a lady reminded me of the one of Lady Hartright which was hung in the big hall. The recollection made me feel very excited suddenly and I ran to the ball to see the portrait at once.

I stood in front of the portrait, panting with heavy breath but smiling with beating heart. I looked at the figure in it, she was still there, wearing a white gown, looking melancholy at everything before her, smiling faintly. I fancied I could see there were tears glittering in her eyes. Her hands were naturally folding on her dress, a big Sapphire ring was sparkling on her hand. I watched the ring carefully and found the ring was not of a simple round shape but was shaped into a crescent moon and a little star. What a remarkably beautiful ring! No wonder Sylvia admired it so much. I wished Mr. Thompson could give her such a precious one in future and I couldn’t help wishing one for myself too.

“How splendid!” I said to myself unconsciously but didn’t notice there was somebody who was approaching me and said: “Yes, how beautiful she is!”

I was startled by the exclamation and turned back to see who it was. I found old Mary was standing behind me with ready tears in her eyes.

“It is you.” I smiled, “You gave me a start.”

Old Mary smiled too. “I’m sorry, Miss. I didn’t intend to. I sent some food to Miss Sylvia but she said she wanted nothing. So I came back and found you were here.”

“Yes. I have nothing to do but idling in the house. Does Miss Sylvia feel better? Does Sir William go to see her daughter?”

“Oh, he didn’t. He had no time, for Madam Claudel won’t allow him to see his daughter. Sir William is rather busy with his cards and his gusts with that witch-like woman.”

“Well, old Mary. It seems you don’t like Madam Claudel.”

“No, I don’t at all. She is a witch. She stole Sir William’s heart from my Lady and robbed him from my Miss. She hurt my lady’s heart. I dare say she is the wickedest woman I’ve ever known.”

“What is Madam Claudel? What does she do and where does she come from? How could she bewitch Sir William so unfathomably?”

“I think Miss Sylvia has already told you. Madam Claudel was a ballet dancer before meeting my master and I’m sure she was a whore too. When my master and my lady went to France for there honeymoon they got acquainted with this woman and my master was immediately bewitched by her beauty….”

“How miraculous! Can this sort of thing ever happen?” I stopped her in the way.

“It could happen if the man was Sir William.” Her words make me laugh and she continued, “During the honeymoon my master left my lady alone and spent everyday with that witch. My lady’s heart was broken. But she endured, for she believed her husband would one day be sober and went back to her again.”

“I’m surprised to hear that Lady Hartright loved her husband so much. But why didn’t he love her?”

“My master had never loved my lady. He married her just for her high position and her large fortune. After their marriage my lady gave almost every penny to him but still he was not contented.”

“What did your master want then?”

“My master heard my lady possessed many remarkably fine diamonds and jewels. They were rare and invaluable, some of them were from India and even from China. My lady’s father collected them through all his life and before his death he gave them to my lady. He had told his daughter she should give them to nobody, even her husband. Though my lady loved my master so deeply she obeyed her father’s will and hid them at an unknown place, even I never know where it is.”

“Then Sir William had never found the diamonds?”

“No, he tried but failed. He coaxed her, threatened her, used every way he could think of to try to know the place of the hidden diamonds, but my lady never opened her mouth about it. My master got furious, shouted at her and even beat her. In order to get those dead stones he treated my lady in every cruel way. But my lady never complained about it. She suffered year by year, swallowed her misery and washed by tears. She said nothing but just endured her suffering life.”

“How incredible!” The words jumped out of my mouth. “How could your lady loved such a monster so deeply?”

Old Mary didn’t answer directly but said: “Look at the portrait beside the one of my lady, Miss.” I obeyed and saw a portrait of a handsome young man, dressed in good fashion and smiling arrogantly. “Who is it?” I asked curiously.

“Cannot you recognize him? It is my master.”

“Sir William! I cannot believe it!”

“Yes, it is him, when he was young, just getting married with my lady. He has been a handsome young man. But drinking and women destroyed his good look. He looks rather ugly now, I dare say, though is dressed fashionably.”

“I understand it now, perhaps. They would be a good match if your master ever loved your lady.”

“But he didn’t. He only wanted the diamonds. After coming back to England he brought his mistress too and hid her in one room at west wing. My lady knew it and begged him to send that woman away. But he refused and told her if she could give him those diamonds he would leave the house forever and never disturb her. How cruel he is!”

“Very cruel indeed! But what happened later? Where did her ladyship go?”

Old Mary paused, her silence gave me full curiosity. I stared at her and waited for her answer with beating heart, after some moments she said: “I know everything, Miss, I know everything. Nobody can deceive me! I know their wicked plan. Their hearts are as black as those of Satan.”

I was puzzled at her words. To tell the truth I didn’t understand what she meant. What did she know? What plan did she mean? Why did she stop and refused to tell me? What happened in this magnificent house? I tried to ask but suddenly heard someone’s walking outside the hall. I looked over old Mary’s shoulder and saw Madam Claudel standing at the door. She was looking at us coldly.

Old Mary saw my eyes and turned back too. She didn’t say anything for a while. I reckoned she must feel startled and nervous. I tried to smile at Madam Claudel and said: “’It is you, Madam Claudel. Why are you standing outside and not come in? Eavesdropping is not a pleasant behavior.”

“And talking about other people’s secrets is not pleasant either.” She smiled meaningfully. I could see the cold light glistening like the raze of the knife in her eyes.

Old Mary curtsied and intended to walk out, but Madam Claudel stopped her by saying: “Be careful, old woman. Take care of your mouth.”

Old Mary looked at her with a hasty glance and walked out with fast steps.

“And you, Miss Osborn. I have warned you before. Don’t try to challenge me. I’m not a simple woman.”

“And I’m undoubtedly not a simple girl.”

We stared at each other. She was trying to frighten me by her chilling eyes. But who was she? What was she? She was just a ballet dancer and a mistress who was gradually losing her beauty and attraction. She was past her prime. How long would Sir William love her? He had already slept with other women. It meant he began to lose his interests in her. She wouldn’t control him long, for her changing face would make him abandon her, perhaps, like what he did to Lady Hartright long before.

I heard some footsteps again and in a second Mr. Thompson walked in.

“What? Ladies, you are here!” He looked surprised to see us,

“Madam Claudel, I’m afraid your friends are waiting for you in drawing room.” He smiled and slightly bowed to her and then turned to me to say: “Miss Osborn, I find you at last!” He walked to me and said: “How is Miss Hartright now? Does she feel better? I do worry about her health. ‘It is the first time I hear of her being unwell. I’m sure she was always healthy and cheerful.”

I heard Madam Claudel’s footsteps towards the door and they became lighter and lighter. I knew she left the hall. Then I smiled at Mr. Thompson and said: “’It is very kind of you, I’m sure Miss Hartright will feel glad if you pay her a short visit.”

“Will she? Then I have to go with honor. But I heard that Miss Hartright desired to see no one tonight, so I’m afraid my visit shall be very unpleasing.”

“No, you worry too much, Sir, for I’m sure that Miss Hartright will see nobody but you and her eyes would sparkle with recovered cheerfulness.”

“Really? Then I must go immediately. Will you accompany me, Miss Osborn? May I have such pleasure?”

“I’m sorry I have some other things to do tonight, so perhaps you have to go alone.”

“Other things? What else could be as important as visiting one’s best friend, especially when this friend is feeling unwell?”

I laughed and said: “You ask too much, Sir. It is my little secret. Go, Sir, go to her quickly. I’m sure she is waiting for you impatiently.” After saying this I winked at him naughtily and walked out of the hall in fast speed.

[Cathy_May]

Six

Sylvia felt better the next day and recovered her usual cheerfulness. I secretly guessed it might be for the reason of Mr. Thompson’s private visit. But no matter what reason it was, Sylvie’s happiness was always mine too. I felt happy for her, for she had finally found the proper man she loved and perhaps it would be soon to hear of the news of her marriage and she would be rescued entirely.

However, my cheerful mood didn’t last long. Soon after the day of our meeting old Mary got ill. I was surprised by the news when Sylvia told it to me in great anxiety. How healthy did old Mary always look and Sylvia had never told me that old Mary was ever ill. But at first I didn’t take it seriously, perhaps it was because that old Mary was really old. She had been a loyal servant both to Lady Hartright and her daughter for so many years and never had a chance to get ill to have a rest, so it would be lucky for her to have the pleasure for some days. Nobody would mind it. I consoled Sylvia’s depressed feelings and laughed at her being so easily getting worried. But I couldn’t help feeling worried and curious myself some days later because old Mary didn’t get better but instead was getting worse. She had bilious headache and vomited several times food at first, and gradually got fever and even fell delirious. She kept saying strange words which no one could understand and later couldn’t recognize anyone, even including Sylvia. Sylvia felt extremely anxious about this, crying and preying everyday. One day she came to say: “It cannot last any more. We must do something!”

“Send for a doctor.” I said.

“Yes, I know. But I couldn’t find my father. And when I asked a servant to do this for me he said his master didn’t allow anyone to leave the house without his permission! How ridiculous! Am I not the mistress?”

“You are not yet. Go to your father. Try to find him.”

“I cannot! I cannot! How ridiculous! I cannot find my father in my own home!” Sylvia looked extremely agitated. Her eyes were sparkling with anger, her face was fevering.

“Calm down, Sylvie. Your impatience can neither help you to find your father nor save old Mary.”

“Calm down? I simply cannot! Oh, I dare say you are cruel, Becky. Sorry for saying this, but I do feel so now. Calm down? How can I do such thing at this crucial moment! Oh, how serious illness she got and how dangerous her condition is! And you tell me to calm down! How can you!” She nearly jumped up when saying these words and her behavior made me feel very worried not about old Mary, but about her.

“I’m sorry for saying this, but what else can we do? How strange the whole thing is that old Mary, the healthiest person I reckon in the world can get ill so suddenly and so seriously! Strange, isn’t it?”

“I have no heart to think so much about that! The only thing I want to do now is to send a doctor to save her!”

I shook my head. To tell the truth I felt helpless too .Neither of us could go out of the house freely to find a doctor. It seemed we can only wait for Sir William’s appearance. Where could he be?

“I cannot bear it any more! I cannot bear it any more!” Sylvia was pacing with trembles and fury. “I will find him! I will. I’ll go again!” She rushed out of the room after saying this and disappeared in a second.

After her going I decided to see how old Mary was feeling now. I walked into her room. She was shivering on bed, groaning pitifully. I walked close to her. Her eyes were closed and it seemed that she was struggling in a nightmare. I bent to look at her carefully, calling her name, but she could hear nothing. I was just to raise my head and suddenly found there were many red spots on her face and neck and perhaps even the whole body. What was it? I got curious and slightly afraid. I didn’t think they were there before. I stared at the spots. They were spreading on her skin speedily. I was terrified. Immediately I ran out to call Sylvia, but my fear and hastiness made me almost crashed with somebody on road. “Sorry,” I said and was just to explain my excuse, I found it was Mr. Thompson.

He looked curiously at me and asked tenderly: “What happened, Miss Osborn? You look frightened and ran fast. Could you tell me what unpleasant thing is making you feel so worried?”

“Oh, yes, Mr. Thompson. I’m so sorry for my rash behavior, but I do have reasonable reasons to do so, for I feel so worried about old Mary and I fear, I fear….” I stopped. I was terrified by my worries.

“Old Mary? Is not she getting better?”

“No, quite the opposite! She is getting worse and worse and I just found lots of red spots on her skin!”

“Red spots? What could they be?”

“I don’t know! I’m not a doctor! Sylvia went to ask her father to send one but she couldn’t find him!”

“How curious! How strange! Indeed, it is very unfathomable!”

“Yes, but what could we do? Every servant is forbidden to go out of the house without Sir William’s permission and he disappeared these days, just these days when old Mary got ill. He disappeared in his own house!”

“Indeed! Very strange! But we cannot just wait here. May I go to see her?”

“Yes, if you wish. But I’m afraid it would be very unpleasant to see.”

“It doesn’t matter. Just lead me to her room.”

I thanked him for his kindness and we walked back into old Mary’s chamber. To my surprise I found she got even worse than some minutes ago. The red spots were spreading speedily on her skin. Mr. Thompson watched her carefully and seriously, his look made me feel worse. A while later he said: “Though I don’t know much about medicine, I’m afraid, I suspect that it is caused by some certain poison.”

“Poison!” I almost cried out.” Old Mary was poisoned!”

“Yes, Miss Osborn. It might be so.” He looked gravely while speaking, which made me feel he couldn’t be joking.

“But I don’t understand, poisoned! It sounds impossible!”

“Impossible indeed! But I’m afraid it is true.”

“Oh!” I was scared by him and lost ability to speak. He looked at me worriedly and asked: “Are you all right, Miss Osborn? I wish my conclusion didn’t give you much shock.”

“Oh, it did!” I cried, “What should we do if it was true? What should we do?” The tears were rushing out from my eyes, I found I was weeping.

“Miss Osborn, you are crying! You must be calm and think a way to send for a doctor, for I reckon it is very dangerous and I think we’d better leave this room.” He took my arm and led me out. I nearly had no strength to walk but leaning on him. I was scared, truly scared. Poisoned! What a horrid thing! The thing which I often read in the novels happened in my best friend’s house. Who did this? Old Mary couldn’t commit suicide. Where was Sylvia? Did she find her father? A thousand questions were rushed into my brain. What should we do? What could we do?

I didn’t know how Mr. Thompson and I walked back to my room, when I eventually got in I suddenly lost all my strength and sank into the chair heavily. But before I could feel a little relieved I heard Sylvia’s saying: “Where did you go? You look so pale.”

I was startled and nearly jumped up. But soon I calmed myself down and said: “Sylvie! I didn’t know you were here!”

“Did I frighten you? I’m sorry for that. I came to tell you I found my father.”

Before I could say anything Mr. Thompson said: “Oh, it’s fine, for I think the patient is seriously ill and won’t endure long.”

“What! What do you mean?” Sylvia nearly got crazy on hearing his words. I really wanted to bid him shut up.

Mr. Thompson was surprised by Sylvia’s sudden craziness and became dumb before her. I immediately said: “What did your father say? Did he send a doctor as soon as possible?”

“No,” the tears were streaming down from her eyes, “he refused to send for a doctor for a servant’s sake. He said it would only waste money. Madam Claudel was with him and she said the same.” Sylvia began to cry after saying this, I took her in my arm to soothe her. Moments later she wiped her eyes and said: “He even didn’t have patience to listen to my words. He was talking with Madam Claudel when I walked in and looked impatient of my description of old Mary’s serious condition. He just wanted to turn me out. Madam Claudel asked him to do so too. She asked it before me! And he simply obeyed her!” She continued to cry bitterly, we both fell silent after hearing her description. “What should I do? What should I do?” She cried piteously. “She was so dear to me! What if I could see her and talk to her no more! I shall lose my only friend in this solitary and unpleasant house!”

I sighed and looked at Mr. Thompson for help, I thought he would find some words to soothe her. But he was looking at me too. We were both embarrassed by her crying and helplessness. “Oh, God!” I murmured, “Tell me what we should do!”

Two days later old Mary died. She died in a rather disgusting condition. Her skin and flesh became rotten speedily before her death, which couldn’t bear even one look. She was wrapped in the sheet and taken out by servants. Sylvia cried bitterly everyday, but Sir William had never come to see her. How cruel this man was! I was entirely astonished by his behavior. Mr. Thompson spent every sad day with us. He tried his best to console her, to amuse her, to serve every pleasure he could. All he did slightly took effect. But I could sense Sylvia liked his being here with her. That was enough.

However, when I had time to think about all that happened on old Mary and what behaved by Sir William, I couldn’t help feeling there might be some relation between two things which wasn’t able to be observed. What was it? Wasn’t it strange that Sir William so strongly refused to send for a doctor in spite of his daughter’s begging? Why did he disappear? Why did he refuse it? Could it be because…Suddenly an idea got into my mind and frightened me, could it be Madam Claudel? Could it be she who poisoned old Mary and asked Sir William not to send any doctor? I recollected the conversation between old Mary and me that day and Madam Claudel’s eavesdropping. It wasn’t long before old Mary’s getting ill. Oh, Dear! I was totally terrified. “He obeyed her!” I recalled Sylvia’s words. He obeyed that woman to turn his daughter out of the room. I had underestimated Madam Claudel’s power. Sir William was entirely in this woman’s control, she could demand him to do anything for her. This time it was old Mary, and next time, it would be Sylvia or me!

I couldn’t bear it any more. I had to tell Sylvia all of this. I ran to her room and rushed in without knocking at the door. “Sylvie!” I cried, “I know it!”

Sylvia was lying on bed and looked surprised at me. “What do you know?”

I turned back, looked carefully outside, closed the door and walked quietly to Sylvia’s bed, spoke in the voice which could only be heard by us two, “I know who did it.”

“What are you saying?” Sylvia still looked very surprised, “What’s the matter with you?”

“Hush!” I listened cautiously for a while and then said: “I know it, it was Madam Claudel who poisoned old Mary.”

“Madam Claudel!” She cried out, her cry made me startled.

“Hush! Hush!” I immediately warned her to speak softly, for Madam Claudel could be eavesdropping at anywhere.

Sylvia looked curious about my behavior and asked in her usual voice: “Why are you behaving so mysteriously? What are you afraid?”

“What am I afraid?” It was my turn to be surprised now. “My dear Sylvie, you don’t understand, it is dangerous!”

“What is dangerous? Oh, please, Becky! Behave normally and speak as usual! Your strange manners made me feel very uncomfortable! What happened? Why did you suspect it was Madam Claudel?”

I told her what happened that day in the big hall, after hearing my description Sylvia suddenly jumped down from her bed and cried: “It must be her! It must be her!”

I was much stunned by her action and immediately begged her calming down. But she refused and continued to speak very loudly.

“I should have guessed it was her! Who else it could be? Yes! It was her! That hateful and poisonous woman! Wickedest of the wickedest! Witch! Snake!” She couldn’t restrain herself but kept pacing up and down in violence. I tried to calm her but failed entirely. She was like a delirious woman. If I didn’t persuade her she would immediately ran out to fight with Madam Claudel.

“Please! Be careful! Madam Claudel is a very dangerous woman!”

“Be careful! Why should I? What for? Do you think she can poison me? No, she dare not! Who is she? What is she? A witch! A witch!”

I was exhausted by her craziness and could do nothing but watching her silently, the more I tried to calm her down the more she got excited and cried more loudly. But she didn’t feel satisfied of my silence and cried: “Why don’t you speak any more? Are you afraid?”

“Yes, I am.” I simply confessed.

“Why? What for?”

I suddenly got angry and said: “Are you mad? Do you know what sort of woman you are facing? She is not as simple and naïve as you and me or any teacher at our school! Her head is full of strategies and can murder anyone of us at any time she chooses! I’m not frightening you! Don’t you understand it? She can control your father entirely, what cannot she do if she wants?”

“I don’t believe you! I don’t! Yes, my father is bewitched by her, but it cannot last long. He has other women and will abandon her soon. She is getting old! She is getting old!”

“But when will he abandon her? And I assure you if he dared do so he would be poisoned by her too!”

“Impossible! Impossible!”

“Why do you keep thinking it impossible? What cannot this woman do?”

“Let me think! Let me think for a while!” I remained silent, watching her pacing here and there furiously. She was thinking about something which made me feel curious. Suddenly she stopped and said: “Suppose it was she! It could be! It could be!”

“What? What do you mean?”

“I mean…It was she who caused the disappearance of my mother!”

“Sylvie!”

“It could be! It must be! My mother knew that she was living secretly at the west wing and she was their obstacle. So this woman did something and made her disappear so that nobody could find her and she could disturb them no more. Yes! I’m sure of it!”

I agreed. It was possible.

“Then we must go to that locked room right away!”

“What? Right away?”

“Yes! It is the high time! What are we waiting for?”

“Oh, Sylvie, it’s dangerous! It’s dangerous!”

She looked impatient. “Dangerous! You only know this word!”

“Because it is true.”

“But if we don’t go we’ll never know the truth!”

“But why do you want to know it so soon?”

“I’ve wanted to know it for long time!”

“But it’s not the right time to go.”

“It is just the right time! We must find the truth and expose her real face.”

“For what?”

“To destroy her!”

I laughed. “Do you think you can destroy her only by this?”

“Of course! Expose her secrets to the society while my father’s guests are still here. If they all know her secrets then she shall have nothing to do but to leave!”

“Could it be so simple? Remember the same time you destroy her reputation you destroy your father’s too”

She paused for a while, “I believe it shall be. And I cannot care too much about my father. He had never cared about me! ”

I sighed, “Sylvie, please! Don’t let her concentrate her notice on you now! It is dangerous! It really is!”

She waved her hand impatiently and said: “I’ve decided. I’ll go to the room again tonight. Will you accompany me?”

“Tonight?”

“Yes” Tonight!”

“Any other day…”

“Impossible!”

I fell silent. She stared at me and said: “Will you come with me?”

I didn’t look at her but I could feel her eyes fixing on me. Everything was silent at that moment, I even could clearly hear our breath. Then I raised my head and said: “All right, I will. But no matter if you shall find anything or not, it is the only time I will go with you. No second time. I swear. No!”