The Angel and The Demon CHAPTER 12.
Back to The Angel and the Demon
The family physician, who was hurriedly summoned to the strangely-affected child, entered the dwelling of Mr. Dainty in about thirty minutes after the departure of Mrs. Jeckyl. He found Madeline showing a few signs of returning animation, but not of conscious life. Her face was still of an ashen hue, and its expression painful to look upon. At first he asked no questions, endeavoring, by an observation of her symptoms, to comprehend the case. He soon saw that extraordinary causes had been at work, and that the child's condition was one not to be reached through ordinary treatment. After looking at her for some minutes, and examining all the life-indications, he said, turning to Mr. Dainty —
"How long has she been in this state?"
"More than half an hour."
"What produced it?"
"I am not able to answer your question — at least, not satisfactorily. To me, her state is unaccountable."
"Had she a fall, or a fright?" asked the physician.
"Neither. And yet her mind was seriously disturbed."
"By what?"
"I can scarcely explain, for I am in doubt myself."
"Perhaps your wife can answer my questions more clearly." And the physician addressed himself to Mrs. Dainty. But the mother was silent. To her mind, there was a deep mystery in the affair. That Madeline's state was, in some way, dependent upon Mrs. Jeckyl's influence over her, she had a vague conviction. But as to the manner and meaning of this influence, she was in total ignorance.
"Will you inform me, as briefly as possible, as to the condition of things existing at the time this partial suspension of life took place?"
The physician addressed Mrs. Dainty.
"I think she was frightened at something said by George," Mrs. Dainty answered.
"What was that something?"
"He said that our governess had a snake in her bosom, and that snakes were crawling all over her."
The doctor looked thoughtfully upon the floor, and waited for additional information. But Mrs. Dainty said nothing further. Little George was standing close to the bedside. As the doctor raised his head, his eyes rested upon the boy's face.
"I think," he said, as he looked at the bright-eyed child, "that you must have seen very sharp, to find serpents about Miss Harper."
"Oh, it wasn't Miss Harper!" replied the boy, in a quick tone: "she's lovely!"
"Who, then, was it? I thought Miss Harper was governess to your children?" And the physician turned to Mrs. Dainty.
"No, sir; Miss Harper is no longer the governess of my children."
There was a certain coldness of manner about Mrs. Dainty, which was meant to repress inquiry on this particular subject.
"I hope, madam," said the doctor, speaking with some earnestness, and a little severity of tone, "that you will be as unreserved as possible in your communications. Unless I have all the information in regard to the cause of Madeline's illness that it is in your power to give me, it will be impossible to prescribe intelligently, or with any hope of reaching the case. Miss Harper, I understand, then, was not the person to whom your little son referred as having a snake in her bosom?"
As Mrs. Dainty did not reply immediately, Uncle John spoke out in his blunt way, and right to the purpose, saying —
"No, it was not Miss Harper, but a wicked old hag that my niece picked up somewhere. If I had any faith in witchcraft — I would believe that she had laid a spell on Madeline."
The doctor now turned to Uncle John.
"When did this new governess of whom you speak come into the family?"
"Today."
"Only today?"
"She came into the house only a few hours ago."
"Was Madeline well this morning?"
"Perfectly."
"This is a sudden illness, then?"
"So I understand it," replied Uncle John. "How is it, Agnes?" And he spoke to the sister of Madeline, who was leaning over the bed, gazing with wet eyes upon her pallid face. "Did Madeline show any symptoms of illness before this sudden attack?"
"She has acted strangely ever since Mrs. Jeckyl came into the house."
"Mrs. Jeckyl!" said the physician, in a tone of surprise.
The eyes of all turned quickly to his face with looks of inquiry.
"Do you know this woman?" asked Mr. Dainty.
"I am not certain. But I think I have heard the name before." There was an air of evasion about the doctor.
"She is an Englishwoman," remarked Mr. Fleetwood.
The doctor looked at Agnes, and pursued his inquiries.
"Acted strangely, you say. In what respect?"
"I can hardly explain, sir," replied Agnes. "But I have heard tell of birds being charmed by serpents; and the way Madeline acted toward Mrs. Jeckyl, made me think all the while of a bird and a serpent. I do not much wonder that Georgie saw snakes in her eyes. They were the strangest eyes I ever looked into, and made me shudder. She's done something dreadful to Madeline!"
"Were they alone together?" inquired the physician.
"For a little while."
"Did Madeline seem repelled, or attracted, by this woman?"
"Both. She appeared to be drawn toward her — yet acted like one struggling to get away. Oh, sir, it was dreadful! I never met so terrible a woman! Her eyes shone, sometimes, like coals of fire. I was afraid of her."
"Did you see her put her hands on Madeline?"
"Yes, sir."
"In what manner?"
"She held her with one hand, while with the other she smoothed her hair."
"Did Madeline try to get away?"
"At first she did; but after a while all her struggles ceased, and she laid her head back against her, half shutting her eyes, and looking like one just going to sleep."
The doctor's countenance assumed a still graver aspect.
"Was this woman an entire stranger?" he asked, in tones of surprise, turning to Mrs. Dainty.
"She came highly recommended by Mrs. Ashton, as an accomplished Englishwoman, the widow of a distinguished officer who died in the service of the East India Company."
"Her own story, I suppose, believed by Mrs. Ashton without evidence. And on this slight knowledge of the woman — you placed these tender, impressible children under her control!"
And the doctor shook his head ominously.
"There has been harm done here," he added, "beyond my skill to cure."
"What harm?" Mrs. Dainty's face grew suddenly as pale as the face of her unconscious child.
"Do you not know, madam," said the doctor, "that there are men and women at this day who possess an evil power over the minds of those who submit themselves to their influence, stronger than even the witch of Endor possessed of old — people in mysterious league with evil spirits, who delight through them to break down the soul's God-given freedom, and make it the slave of their will? If this were my child, I would rather a thousand times see her pass upward into Heaven — than live on here exposed to the assaults ofinfernal spirits, who, in my opinion, have gained admittance to her through this evil woman's power!"
"Doctor," said Mr. Fleetwood, laying his hand upon the physician's arm with some firmness of clasp, "no more of that, if you please! It is neither the time nor the place!"
"I stand rebuked," answered the doctor. "But I feel strongly on this subject, and am apt to speak warmly."
"Time is passing," said Mr. Fleetwood, "and every moment is precious. This child needs your most skillful attention. I think you understand her case as fully as it can be understood through any further explanation at this time. We place her in your hands. Do for her, to the utmost of your skill."
Back to The Angel and the Demon