The adulteress

"It is. When one is crippled it is good to have those interests which are not too demanding physically. I have always had this love of art. I lived in Italy for a time, years ago. In fact it was there that I first met Lord Eversleigh."

"Oh, I was not aware that you knew him."

"We lived there for some months. We were both interested in art treasures and Florence was the Mecca for people like us. It was he who told me about the houses near Eversleigh when I was wanting to buy one. The other one, Enderby, was occupied at the time so I bought Grasslands."

"Was that very long ago?"

"Long before his illness."

"Have you seen him since?"

"No. That doctor of his frowns on visitors. I have not seen him since his seizure. I used to call occasionally but it wasn't easy for either of us. He was crippled and couldn't leave the house and I was plagued with my rheumatism. I walk around with a stick but I don't feel inclined to go far afield. The doctor says I should take a little exercise but not strain myself."

"Do you know Dr. Cabel? He was a friend of my uncle long ago. I wonder if ..."

"No, I never met him. He is retired from his profession now I believe and that is why he can give so much attention to Lord Eversleigh. I have a very good man myself. Dr. Forster."

"Dr. Forster!" I cried. "I did meet him."

"A very good man, I think. As a matter of fact I should like him to take a look at Lord Eversleigh."

"Wouldn't that be somewhat unethical?"

"I suppose so, since he has his own doctor. On the other hand ... Dr. Cabel is retired and Dr. Forster is a comparatively young man. He might have more up-to-date knowledge."

"I ... should like that very much ... but I don't see how it can be suggested."

"No, I suppose not. He has done me a lot of good. Special pills, you know, and he takes a real interest. He gives me confidence."

"Lord Eversleigh is hardly conscious. I think he recognizes me but so far he has said little except my name."

"Well, I suppose he is fortunate to be alive at all. So many people die after an affair like that. But I do have such confidence in Dr. Forster. He's a good man, you know. I only discovered a few weeks ago that he runs a home for unwanted children."

"Oh, does he? I didn't know that. I only met him briefly. I think he did mention a hospital. I happened to be wandering past Enderby, where his brother lives. I had met them on another occasion and they asked me in and then the other day I saw them again and that was when I met Dr. Forster."

"Yes, he puts a lot of work into this hospital of his. It's a fine thing. He has a special feeling, they say, for children."

"Has he any of his own?"

"I don't think so. I believe he was married ... something happened. The wife died or something ... and after that he started this place. He spends some time there I believe because it's not a large practice here."

"That's very interesting," I said. "I thought he was an unusual man, although as I said our meeting was brief."

Evalina had come back with Dickon. She looked flushed and I noticed that one of the buttons on her blouse was not done up. Dickon was as calm and self-possessed as ever. I guessed there had been some sort of amorous encounter, and as I felt a liking for Andrew Mather my disgust for the two of them was greater than ever.

"What did you think of the chest?" asked Andrew.

"Interesting," said Dickon. "Very interesting. Crudely made rather ... I suppose that is because it is thirteenth century. I thought the chip-carved rondels were exciting. By the way that's a lovely piece you have inside the chest. I wonder why you shut it away and keep it wrapped up? Are you afraid of someone stealing it?"

"What piece is that?" asked Andrew.

Evalina said: "Oh, it's nothing really. It's just one of those things you have in the chest."

"I didn't know there was anything there."

"You'd know about this," said Dickon. "It's a treasure."

Andrew looked puzzled and Dickon said, "I'll go up and get it. I did want to ask you about it."

"Oh, another time," said Evalina. "I'm tired of all this talk about old things."

Dickon smiled at her and went out of the room.

Evalina was frowning. She said rather crossly: "Oh, I do wish we could do something sensible."

"What would you like to do?" asked Andrew fondly.

"Have a ball or banquet ... something which I could plan."

"We'll have to see."

I said: "I think I should be going."

"It was good of you to call," said Andrew.

"Yes, it was nice seeing you again. I remember the last time ..." Her eyes were malicious, daring me to mention it. "It seems quite a long time ago."

Dickon came back. He was holding a bronze statuette in his hands, which he held out to Andrew.

Andrew gasped. "Where did you find that?"

"It was in the chest."

Andrew took it and turned it over and over in his hands. He murmured: "I'll swear this is the one. I've seen it before. It was in Florence years ago. It's a beautiful thing. It was said to have been done by a pupil of Michelangelo."

"That," said Dickon, "would account for the purity of the lines."