The adulteress

"Who is it?" he demanded. He turned now and his eyes were blazing. "Who is this man?"

I dared not tell him then. I thought he would go out and kill Dickon in the heat of the moment. I looked at Jean-Louis, who nodded, understanding my reasoning.

I said: "It happened on the night of the Harvest Home. You were not there, James, you remember. She had had too much punch ... and it was very potent. I can only say that some unscrupulous person took advantage of this."

"Who was this unscrupulous person ... ? Tell me."

"James," I said, "Hetty is in a state of collapse. She needs so much care. Let's think of her, shall we? I have her here in bed now. I've given her something to make her sleep. She is frantic with worry. We love her—Jean-Louis and I—and no matter what happens we are going to help her."

"What does she say ... ?"

"Poor child, she is too stricken to say anything."

"Does she mention me?"

"Yes. She loves you. I think it is partly because of you that she cannot face up to this situation. Oh, James, what can we do for her? If you could have seen her when I found her by the river... ."

His face was working with emotion. He was thinking only of Hetty now; for a moment he had forgotten the author of her troubles—but that would come later. James was a man of strong emotions; he generally kept them in check but he would want to find the man who was responsible for Hetty's condition.

There was a long silence. I could not bear it and I said: "James, what are you going to do?"

He shook his head.

"James," I went on, "you can help her ... only you. This happened ... such things do happen... . You can't blame her. She is so young... . Please, James, try to understand. There's so much at stake. I don't know what she plans to do but I am afraid for her."

Still he did not answer.

Then he turned away and walked to the door. I ran to him and held his arm. I could see that he was beset by conflicting emotions—bewilderment, dismay, fury, frustration ... but I think there was love there ... love for Hetty.

He looked at me and said: "Thank you, Zipporah... . You are good... . Thank you ... but I want to be alone... ."

I nodded and he went.

Jean-Louis and I were silent for a few moments after he had left. Then I said to Jean-Louis: "When he knows it was Dickon, what then?"

Jean-Louis shook his head.

"He mustn't be here," I said. "He must go away... . Heaven knows what James might do... . He mustn't know."

"It can't be kept from him. He'll discover."

"Not yet. He mustn't, Jean-Louis. Dickon will have to go away for a while."

"He never would. He would stay here and perhaps get some amusement out of the storm he has raised."

"I see you know Dickon as well as I do. I was beginning to think everyone saw him through his and my mother's eyes. He has to get away, Jean-Louis. I have to frighten my mother and Sabrina into helping us."

"Yes," said Jean-Louis slowly. "I see what you mean."

"And there is little time to lose. I'm going to see them now."

"Dearest Zipporah," he said, "are you being a little hasty?"

"I think this is a situation which needs prompt action. If James discovers Hetty's seducer he will be enraged. I fear there might be murder here. I am going to see them now."

"You may be right," said Jean-Louis.

"Come with me. Your voice will add weight to mine. They may think I am impulsive but they never will think that of you."

When we arrived at the Hall we were relieved to find both my mother and Sabrina at home. When I told them what had happened they were astounded.

"I don't believe it," said Sabrina.

"The girl is making it up," added my mother.

"Hetty is telling the truth," I said. "You must know what Dickon is like. I have seen him with the servant girls." I had a quick vision of him in the barn with Evalina and I went on: "Dickon could be in danger, that's what I have come to talk about."

That startled them.

"In danger ... you mean ... ?"

"Yes, I mean from James. James loves Hetty. I believe he was planning to marry her himself. It is not difficult to understand his emotions now. If he learns that the man in the case was Dickon ... and he gets his hands on him ..."

My mother had turned pale. "This is terrible," she said. "I don't believe for one moment ..."

"There is no time to start protesting Dickon's innocence. And I don't want him to know that he is accused or he might refuse to go."

"That surely would show his innocence," said Sabrina quickly.

"No, it would show a mischievous desire to cause trouble."

"And risk to himself?"

"And risk to everything and everybody. Please don't let us have a tragedy here. I have come to ask you to take Dickon away ... until James has calmed down. I don't want Dickon to be here when he discovers."

"She is falsely accusing Dickon."

"She is not. Why should she? I know Dickon if you don't. He wanted revenge for Hassock's getting that land. I understand exactly how his mind works."

In their hearts they knew, of course; and I could see that they were already coming to terms with what they called Dickon's manliness.