The Law and the Lady

by Wilkie Collins

  CHAPTER XXXII. A SPECIMEN OF MY WISDOM.

  THE scene must follow my erratic movements--the scene must close onLondon for a while, and open in Edinburgh. Two days had passed sinceMajor Fitz-David's dinner-party. I was able to breathe again freely,after the utter destruction of all my plans for the future, and of allthe hopes that I had founded on them. I could now see that I had beentrebly in the wrong--wrong in hastily and cruelly suspecting an innocentwoman; wrong in communicating my suspicions (without an attempt toverify them previously) to another person; wrong in accepting theflighty inferences and conclusions of Miserrimus Dexter as if they hadbeen solid truths. I was so ashamed of my folly, when I thought of thepast--so completely discouraged, so rudely shaken in my confidencein myself, when I thought of the future, that, for once in a way, Iaccepted sensible advice when it was offered to me. "My dear," said goodold Benjamin, after we had thoroughly talked over my discomfiture onour return from the dinner-party, "judging by what you tell me of him,I don't fancy Mr. Dexter. Promise me that you will not go back to himuntil you have first consulted some person who is fitter to guide youthrough this dangerous business than I am."

  I gave him my promise, on one condition. "If I fail to find the person,"I said, "will you undertake to help me?"

  Benjamin pledged himself to help me, cheerfully.

  The next morning, when I was brushing my hair, and thinking over myaffairs, I called to mind a forgotten resolution of mine at the time Ifirst read the Report of my husband's Trial. I mean the resolution--ifMiserrimus Dexter failed me--to apply to one of the two agents(or solicitors, as we should term them) who had prepared Eustace'sdefense--namely, Mr. Playmore. This gentleman, it may be remembered,had especially recommended himself to my confidence by his friendlyinterference when the sheriff's officers were in search of my husband'spapers. Referring back to the evidence Of "Isaiah Schoolcraft," I foundthat Mr. Playmore had been called in to assist and advise Eustace byMiserrimus Dexter. He was therefore not only a friend on whom I mightrely, but a friend who was personally acquainted with Dexter as well.Could there be a fitter man to apply to for enlightenment in thedarkness that had now gathered around me? Benjamin, when I put thequestion to him, acknowledged that I had made a sensible choice on thisoccasion, and at once exerted himself to help me. He discovered (throughhis own lawyer) the address of Mr. Playmore's London agents; and fromthese gentlemen he obtained for me a letter of introduction to Mr.Playmore himself. I had nothing to conceal from my new adviser; and Iwas properly described in the letter as Eustace Macallan's second wife.

  The same evening we two set forth (Benjamin refused to let me travelalone) by the night mail for Edinburgh.

  I had previously written to Miserrimus Dexter (by my old friend'sadvice), merely saying that I had been unexpectedly called away fromLondon for a few days, and that I would report to him the result of myinterview with Lady Clarinda on my return. A characteristic answer wasbrought back to the cottage by Ariel: "Mrs. Valeria, I happen to be aman of quick perceptions; and I can read the _unwritten_ part of yourletter. Lady Clarinda has shaken your confidence in me. Very good. Ipledge myself to shake your confidence in Lady Clarinda. In the meantimeI am not offended. In serene composure I await the honor and thehappiness of your visit. Send me word by telegraph whether you wouldlike Truffles again, or whether you would prefer something simpler andlighter--say that incomparable French dish, Pig's Eyelids and Tamarinds.Believe me always your ally and admirer, your poet and cook--DEXTER."

  Arrived in Edinburgh, Benjamin and I had a little discussion. Thequestion in dispute between us was whether I should go with him, or goalone, to Mr. Playmore. I was all for going alone.

  "My experience of the world is not a very large one," I said. "ButI have observed that, in nine cases out of ten, a man will makeconcessions to a woman, if she approaches him by her self, which hewould hesitate even to consider if another man was within hearing. Idon't know how it is--I only know that it is so; If I find that I get onbadly with Mr. Playmore, I will ask him for a second appointment, and,in that case, you shall accompany me. Don't think me self-willed. Let metry my luck alone, and let us see what comes of it."

  Benjamin yielded, with his customary consideration for me. I sent myletter of introduction to Mr. Playmore's office--his private house beingin the neighborhood of Gleninch. My messenger brought back a politeanswer, inviting me to visit him at an early hour in the afternoon. Atthe appointed time, to the moment, I rang the bell at the office door.