CHAPTER THE TWENTY-NINTH
Parliamentary Summary
OH, the welcome interruption! After the agitation that we had suffered,we all stood equally in need of some such relief as this. It wasabsolutely a luxury to fall back again into the common-place dailyroutine of life. I asked to whom the letter was addressed? Nugentanswered, "The letter is addressed to me; and the writer is Mr. Finch."
Having read the letter, he turned to Lucilla.
"I sent a message to your father, asking him to join us here," he said."Mr. Finch writes back to say that his duties keep him at home, and tosuggest that the rectory is the fitter place for the discussion of familymatters. Have you any objection to return to the house? And do you mindgoing on first with Madame Pratolungo?"
Lucilla's quick suspicion was instantly aroused.
"Why not with Oscar?" she asked.
"Your father's note suggests to me," replied Nugent, "that he is a littlehurt at the short notice I gave him of our discussion here. I thought--ifyou and Madame Pratolungo went on first--that you might make our peacewith the rector, and assure him that we meant no disrespect, before Oscarand I appeared. Don't you think yourself you would make it easier for us,if you did that?"
Having contrived in this dexterous way to separate Oscar and Lucilla, andto gain time for composing and fortifying his brother before they metagain, Nugent opened the door for us to go out. Lucilla and I left thetwins together, in the modest little room which had witnessed a scenealike memorable to all of us for its interest at the time, and for theresults which were to come of it in the future.
Half an hour later, we were all assembled at the rectory.
Our adjourned debate--excepting one small suggestion emanating frommyself--was a debate which led to nothing. It may be truly described asresolving itself into the delivery of an Oration by Mr. Finch. Subject,the assertion of Mr. Finch's dignity.
On this occasion (having matters of more importance on hand) I take theliberty of cutting the reverend gentleman's speech by the pattern of thereverend gentleman's stature. Short in figure, the rector shall be here,for the first time in his life, short in language too.
Reverend Finch rose, and said--he objected to everything. To receiving amessage on a card instead of a proper note. To being expected to presenthimself at Browndown at a moment's notice. To being the last personinformed (instead of the first) of Mr. Nugent Dubourg's exaggerated andabsurd view of the case of his afflicted child. To the German surgeon, asbeing certainly a foreigner and a stranger, and possibly a quack. To theslur implied on British Surgery by bringing the foreigner to Dimchurch.To the expense involved in the same proceeding. Finally to the wholescope and object of Mr. Nugent Dubourg's proposal, which had for itsorigin rebellion against the decrees of an all-wise Providence, and forits result the disturbance of his daughter's mind--"under My influence,sir, a mind in a state of Christian resignation: under Your influence, amind in a state of infidel revolt." With those concluding remarks, thereverend gentleman sat down--and paused for a reply.
A remarkable result followed, which might be profitably permitted to takeplace in some other Parliaments. Nobody replied.
Mr. Nugent Dubourg rose--no! sat--and said, he declined to take any partin the proceedings. He was quite ready to wait, until the end justifiedthe means which he proposed to employ. For the rest, his conscience wasat ease; and he was entirely at Miss Finch's service.
Mr. Oscar Dubourg, sitting hidden from notice behind his brother,followed his brother's example. The decision in the matter underdiscussion rested with Miss Finch alone. He had no opinion of his own tooffer on it.
Miss Finch herself, appealed to next:--Had but one reply to give. Withall possible respect for her father, she ventured to think that neitherhe nor any one, possessing the sense of vision, could quite enter intoher feelings as the circumstances then were. If there really was anychance of her recovering her sight, the least she could do would be togive that chance a fair trial. She entreated Mr. Nugent Dubourg not tolose one unnecessary moment in bringing the German surgeon to Dimchurch.
Mrs. Finch, called upon next. Spoke after some little delay, caused bythe loss of her pocket-handkerchief. Would not presume to differ inopinion with her husband, whom she had never yet known to be otherwisethan perfectly right about everything. But, if the German surgeon _did_come, and if Mr. Finch saw no objection to it, she would much like toconsult him (gratis, if possible) on the subject of "baby's eyes." Mrs.Finch was proceeding to explain that there was happily nothing thematter, that she could see, with the infant's eyes at that particularmoment, and that she merely wished to take a skilled medical opinion, inthe event of something happening on some future occasion--when she wascalled to order by Mr. Finch. The reverend gentleman, at the same time,appealed to Madame Pratolungo to close the debate by giving frankexpression to her own opinion.
Madame Pratolungo, speaking in conclusion, remarked:--
That the question of consulting the German surgeon appeared (after whathad fallen from Miss Finch) to be a question which had passed beyond therange of any expression of feeling on the part of other persons. That sheproposed, accordingly, to look, beyond the consultation, at the resultswhich might follow it. That, contemplating these possible results, sheheld very strong views of her own, and would proceed to give frankexpression to them as follows. That in her opinion, the proposedinvestigation of the chances which might exist of restoring Miss Finch'ssight, involved consequences far too serious to be trusted to thedecision of any one man, no matter how skillful or how famous he mightbe. That, in pursuance of this view, she begged to suggest (1) theassociation of an eminent English oculist with the eminent Germanoculist; (2) an examination of Miss Finch's case by both the professionalgentlemen, consulting on it together; and (3) a full statement of theopinions at which they might respectively arrive, to be laid before themeeting now assembled, and to become the subject of a renewed discussionbefore any decisive measures were taken.
Lastly, that this proposal be now submitted, in the form of a resolution,and forthwith (if necessary) put to the vote.
Resolution, as above, put to the vote.
Majority--Ayes.
Miss Finch. Mr. Nugent Dubourg. Mr. Oscar Dubourg. Madame Pratolungo.
Minority--Noes.
No (on the score of expense), Mr. Finch. No (because Mr. F. says No),Mrs. Finch.
Resolution carried by a majority of two. Debate adjourned to a day to behereafter decided on.
By the first train the next morning, Nugent Dubourg started for London.
At luncheon, the same day, a telegram arrived, reporting his proceedingsin the following terms:--
"I have seen my friend. He is at our service. He is also quite willing toconsult with any English oculist whom we may choose. I am just off tofind the man. Expect a second telegram later in the day."
The second telegram reached us in the evening, and ran thus:--
"Everything is settled. The German oculist and the English oculist leaveLondon with me, by the twelve-forty train to-morrow afternoon."
After reading this telegram to Lucilla, I sent it to Oscar at Browndown.Judge for yourself how he slept, and how we slept, that night!