In the first place she had discovered,while arranging her late husband's library,a book which had evidently suggested his ideas of reformation in the treatment of the insane.It was called,"Description of the Retreat,an institution near York for insane persons of the Society of Friends.
Written by Samuel Tuke."She had communicated with the institution;had received the most invaluable help;and would bring the book with her to Frankfort,to be translated into German,in the interests of humanity.
(1)Tuke's Description of the Retreat near York is reviewed by Sydney Smith in a number of the "Edinburgh Review,"for 1814.
As for her merciful experiment with poor Jack,it had proved to be completely successful--with one serious drawback.So long as he was under her eye,and in daily communication with her,a more grateful,affectionate,and perfectly harmless creature never breathed the breath of life.Even Mr.Hartrey and the lawyer had been obliged to confess that they had been in the wrong throughout,in the view they had taken of the matter.But,when she happened to be absent from the house,for any length of time,it was not to be denied that Jack relapsed.He did nothing that was violent or alarming--he merely laid himself down on the mat before the door of her room,and refused to eat,drink,speak,or move,until she returned.He heard her outside the door,before anyone else was aware that she was near the house;and his joy burst out in a scream which did certainly recall Bedlam.That was the drawback,and the only drawback;and how she was to take the journey to Frankfort,which Mr.Keller's absurd remonstrance had rendered absolutely necessary,was more than my aunt's utmost ingenuity could thus far discover.Setting aside the difficulty of disposing of Jack,there was another difficulty,represented by Fritz.It was in the last degree doubtful if he could be trusted to remain in London in her absence."But I shall manage it,"the resolute woman concluded."I never yet despaired of anything--and I don't despair now."Returning to the sitting-room,when it was time to go to the theater,Ifound Mr.Keller with his temper in a flame,and Mr.Engelman silently smoking as usual.
"Read that!"cried Mr.Keller,tossing my aunt's reply to him across the table."It won't take long."It was literally a letter of four lines!"I have received your remonstrance.It is useless for two people who disagree as widely as we do,to write to each other.Please wait for my answer,until I arrive at Frankfort.""Let's go to the music!"cried Mr.Keller."God knows,I want a composing influence of some kind."At the end of the first act of the opera,a new trouble exhausted his small stock of patience.He had been too irritated,on leaving the house,to remember his opera-glass;and he was sufficiently near-sighted to feel the want of it.It is needless to say that I left the theater at once to bring back the glass in time for the next act.
My instructions informed me that I should find it on his bedroom-table.
I thought Joseph looked confused when he opened the house-door to me.As I ran upstairs,he followed me,saying something.I was in too great a hurry to pay any attention to him.
Reaching the second floor by two stairs at a time,I burst into Mr.
Keller's bedroom,and found myself face to face with--Madame Fontaine!
CHAPTER XVII
The widow was alone in the room;standing by the bedside table on which Mr.Keller's night-drink was placed.I was so completely taken by surprise,that I stood stock-still like a fool,and stared at Madame Fontaine in silence.
On her side she was,as I believe,equally astonished and equally confounded,but better able to conceal it.For the moment,and only for the moment,she too had nothing to say.Then she lifted her left hand from under her shawl."You have caught me,Mr.David!"she said--and held up a drawing-book as she spoke.
"What are you doing here?"I asked.
She pointed with the book to the famous carved mantelpiece.
"You know how I longed to make a study of that glorious work,"she answered."Don't be hard on a poor artist who takes her opportunity when she finds it.""May I ask how you came to know of the opportunity,Madame Fontaine?""Entirely through your kind sympathy,my friend,"was the cool reply.
"My sympathy?What do you mean?"
"Was it not you,David,who considerately thought of Minna when the post came in?And did you not send the man-servant to us,with her letter from Fritz?"The blubbering voice of Joseph,trembling for his situation,on the landing outside,interrupted me before I could speak again.
"I'm sure I meant no harm,sir.I only said I was in a hurry to get back,because you had all gone to the theater,and I was left (with nobody but the kitchen girl)to take care of the house.When the lady came,and showed me her drawing-book--""That will do,friend Joseph,"said the widow,signing to him to go downstairs in her easy self-possessed way."Mr.David is too sensible to take notice of trifles.There!there!go down,"She turned to me,with an expression of playful surprise."How very serious you look!"she said gaily.
"It might have been serious for _you,_Madame Fontaine,if Mr.Keller had returned to the house to fetch his opera-glass himself.""Ah!he has left his opera-glass behind him?Let me help you to look for it.I have done my sketch;I am quite at your service."She forestalled me in finding the opera-glass."I really had no other chance of ****** a study of the chimney-piece,"she went on,as she handed the glass to me.
"Impossible to ask Mr.Engelman to let me in again,after what happened on the last occasion.And,if I must confess it,there is another motive besides my admiration for the chimney-piece.You know how poor we are.
The man who keeps the picture-shop in the Zeil is willing to employ me.
He can always sell these memorials of old Frankfort to English travelers.