CHAPTER THE THIRTY-THIRD
The Day Between
THE interval-day before the second appearance of Herr Grosse, and theexperiment on Lucilla's sight that was to follow it, was marked by twoincidents which ought to be noticed in this place.
The first incident was the arrival, early in the morning, of anotherletter addressed to me privately by Oscar Dubourg. Like many other shypeople, he had a perfect mania, where any embarrassing circumstances wereconcerned, for explaining himself, with difficulty, by means of his pen,in preference to explaining himself, with ease, by means of his tongue.
Oscar's present communication informed me that he had left us for Londonby the first morning train, and that his object in taking this suddenjourney was--to state his present position towards Lucilla to a gentlemanespecially conversant with the peculiarities of blind people. In plainwords, he had resolved on applying to Mr. Sebright for advice.
"I like Mr. Sebright" (Oscar wrote) "as cordially as I detest HerrGrosse. The short conversation I had with him has left me with thepleasantest impression of his delicacy and his kindness. If I freelyreveal to this skillful surgeon the sad situation in which I am placed, Ibelieve his experience will throw an entirely new light on the presentstate of Lucilla's mind, and on the changes which we may expect to seeproduced in her, if she really does recover her sight. The result may beof incalculable benefit in teaching me how I may own the truth, mostharmlessly to her, as well as to myself. Pray don't suppose I undervalueyour advice. I only want to be doubly fortified, before I risk myconfession, by the advice of a scientific man."
All this I took to mean, in plain English, that vacillating Oscar wantedto quiet his conscience by gaining time, and that his absurd idea ofconsulting Mr. Sebright was nothing less than a new and plausible excusefor putting off the evil day. His letter ended by pledging me to secrecy,and by entreating me so to manage matters as to grant him a privateinterview on his return to Dimchurch by the evening train.
I confess I felt some curiosity as to what would come of the proposedconsultation between unready Oscar and precise Mr. Sebright--and Iaccordingly arranged to take my walk alone, towards eight o'clock thatevening, on the road that led to the distant railway station.