INCIDENT AT THE WINDOW
It chanced on Sunday, when Mr. Utterson was on his usual walk with Mr.Enfield, that their way lay once again through the by-street; and thatwhen they came in front of the door, both stopped to gaze on it.
"Well," said Enfield, "that story's at an end at least. We shall neversee more of Mr. Hyde."
"I hope not," said Utterson. "Did I ever tell you that I once saw him,and shared your feeling of repulsion?"
"It was impossible to do the one without the other," returned Enfield."And by the way, what an ass you must have thought me, not to know thatthis was a back way to Dr. Jekyll's! It was partly your own fault that Ifound it out, even when I did."
"So you found it out, did you?" said Utterson. "But if that be so, wemay step into the court and take a look at the windows. To tell you thetruth, I am uneasy about poor Jekyll; and even outside, I feel as if thepresence of a friend might do him good."
The court was very cool and a little damp, and full of prematuretwilight, although the sky, high up overhead, was still bright withsunset. The middle one of the three windows was half-way open; andsitting close beside it, taking the air with an infinite sadness ofmien, like some disconsolate prisoner, Utterson saw Dr. Jekyll.
"What! Jekyll!" he cried. "I trust you are better."
"I am very low, Utterson," replied the doctor drearily, "very low. Itwill not last long, thank God."
"You stay too much indoors," said the lawyer. "You should be out,whipping up the circulation like Mr. Enfield and me. (This is mycousin--Mr. Enfield--Dr. Jekyll.) Come now; get your hat and take aquick turn with us."
"You are very good," sighed the other. "I should like to very much; butno, no, no, it is quite impossible; I dare not. But indeed, Utterson,I am very glad to see you; this is really a great pleasure; I would askyou and Mr. Enfield up, but the place is really not fit."
"Why, then," said the lawyer, good-naturedly, "the best thing we can dois to stay down here and speak with you from where we are."
"That is just what I was about to venture to propose," returned thedoctor with a smile. But the words were hardly uttered, before the smilewas struck out of his face and succeeded by an expression of such abjectterror and despair, as froze the very blood of the two gentlemen below.They saw it but for a glimpse for the window was instantly thrust down;but that glimpse had been sufficient, and they turned and left the courtwithout a word. In silence, too, they traversed the by-street; and itwas not until they had come into a neighbouring thoroughfare, where evenupon a Sunday there were still some stirrings of life, that Mr. Uttersonat last turned and looked at his companion. They were both pale; andthere was an answering horror in their eyes.
"God forgive us, God forgive us," said Mr. Utterson.
But Mr. Enfield only nodded his head very seriously, and walked on oncemore in silence.