 Book the fifth the fatal lecture chapter one of the fallen leaves This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Rita Boutros The fallen leaves by Wilkie Collins book the fifth the fatal lecture Chapter one Late that night Amelia sat alone in his room Making notes for the lecture which he had now formally engaged himself to deliver in a week's time Thanks to his American education as Rufus had supposed he had not been without practice in the art of public speaking He had learned to face his fellow creatures in the act of oratory And to hear the sound of his own voice in a silent assembly without trembling from head to foot English newspapers were regularly sent to Tadmore And English politics were frequently discussed in the little parliament of the community The prospect of addressing a new audience with their sympathies probably against him at the outset Had its terrors undoubtedly But the more formidable consideration to the mind of amelius was presented by the limits imposed on him in the matter of time The lecture was to be succeeded at the request of a clerical member of the institution By a public discussion And the secretary's experience suggested that the lecturer would do well To reduce his address within the compass of an hour Socialism is a large subject to be squeezed into that small space amelius had objected And the secretary sighed and answered they won't listen any longer Making notes from time to time of the points on which it was most desirable to insist And on the relative positions which they should occupy in his lecture The memory of amelius became more and more absorbed in recalling the scenes in which his early life had been passed He laid down his pen as the clock of the nearest church struck the first dark hour of the morning And let his thoughts take him back again without interruption or restraint to the hills and veils of tadmore Once more the kind old elder brother taught him the noble lessons of christianity as they came from the inspired teacher's own lips Once more he took his turn of healthy work in the garden and the field Once more the voices of his companions joined with him in the evening songs And the timid little figure of melisand stood at his side content to hold the music book and listen How poor how corrupt did the life look that he was leading now By comparison with the life that he had led in those earlier and happier days How shamefully he had forgotten the simple precepts of christian humility christian sympathy and christian self-restraint In which his teachers had trusted as the safeguards that were to preserve him from the foul contact of the world Within the last two days only he had refused to make merciful allowance for the errors of a man Whose life had been wasted in the sordid struggle upward from poverty to wealth And worse yet he had cruelly distressed the poor girl who loved him at the prompting of those selfish passions Which it was his first and foremost duty to restrain The bare remembrance of it was unendurable to him in his present frame of mind With his customary impetuosity. He snatched up the pen to make atonement before he went to rest that night He wrote in few words to mr. Farnaby Declaring that he regretted having spoken impatiently and contemptuously at the interview between them And expressing the hope that their experience of each other in the time to come might perhaps lead to acceptable concessions on either side His letter to Regina was written. It is needless to say in warmer terms and at much greater length It was the honest outpouring of his love and his penitence When the letters were safe in their envelopes. He was not satisfied even yet No matter what the hour might be there was no ease of mind for Emilius until he had actually posted his letters He stole downstairs and softly unbolted the door and hurried away to the nearest letter box When he had let himself in again with his latch key his mind was relieved at last Now he thought as he lit his bedroom candle. I can go to sleep A visit from Rufus was the first event of the day The two set to work together to draw out the necessary advertisement of the lecture It was well calculated to attract attention in certain quarters The announcement addressed itself in capital letters to all honest people who were poor and discontented Come and hear the remedy which christian socialism provides for your troubles Explain to you by a friend and a brother and pay no more than six pence for the place that you occupy The necessary information as to time and place followed this appeal Including the offer of reserved seats at higher prices By advice of the secretary the advertisement was not sent to any journal having its circulation among the wealthier classes of society It appeared prominently in one daily paper And in two weekly papers the three possessing an aggregate sale of 400 000 copies Assume only five readers to each copy cried sanguine amelius And we appeal to an audience of two millions What a magnificent publicity There was one inevitable result of magnificent publicity which amelius failed to consider His advertisements were certain to bring people together Who might otherwise never have met in the great world of london under one roof All over england scotland and ireland. He invited unknown guests to pass the evening with him In such circumstances Recognitions may take place between persons who have lost sight of each other for years Conversations may be held which might otherwise never have been exchanged And results may follow for which the hero of the evening may be innocently responsible Because two or three among his audience happened to be sitting to hear him on the same bench A man who opens his doors and invites the public indiscriminately to come in Runs the risk of playing with inflammable materials And can never be sure at what time or in what direction they may explode Rufus himself took the fair copies of the advertisement to the nearest agent Amelia stayed at home to think over his lecture He was interrupted by the arrival of mr. Farnaby's answer to his letter The man of the oily whiskers wrote courteously and guardedly He was evidently flattered and pleased by the advance that had been made to him And he was quite willing under the circumstances to give the lovers opportunities of meeting at his house At the same time he limited the number of the opportunities Once a week for the present my dear sir Regina will doubtless write to you when she returns to london Regina wrote by return of post the next morning amelias received a letter from her which enchanted him She had never loved him as she loved him now. She longed to see him again She had prevailed on mrs. Ormond to let her shorten her visit And to intercede for her with the authorities at home They were to return together to london on the afternoon of the next day amelias would be sure to find her if he arranged to call in time for five o'clock tea Towards four o'clock on the next day while amelias was putting the finishing touches to his dress He was informed that a young person wished to see him The visitor proved to be phoebe with her handkerchief to her eyes indulging in grief In humble imitation of her young mistresses gentle method of proceeding on similar occasions Good god cried amelias has anything happened to regina No, sir phoebe murmured behind the handkerchief. Miss regina is at home and well Then what are you crying about? Phoebe forgot her mistresses gentle method. She answered with an explosion of subs. I'm ruined, sir What do you mean by being ruined? Who's done it? You've done it, sir Amelias started his relations with phoebe had been purely and entirely of the pecuniary sort She was a showy pretty girl with a smart little figure But with some undeniably bad lines which only observant physiognomist remarked about her eyebrows and her mouth Amelias was not a physiognomist But he was in love with regina which at his age implied faithful love It is only men over 40 who can court the mistress with reserves of admiration to spare for the maid Sit down said amelias and tell me in two words what you mean Phoebe sat down and dried her eyes I have been infamously treated sir by mrs. Farnaby She began and stopped overpowered by the bare remembrance of her wrongs She was angry enough at that moment to be off her guard The vindictive nature that was in the girl found its way outward and showed itself in her face Amelias perceived the change and began to doubt whether phoebe was quite worthy of the place which she had hitherto held in his estimation Surely there must be some mistake. He said what opportunity has mrs. Farnaby had of ill-treating you You have only just got back to london I beg your pardon sir. We got back sooner than we expected Mrs. Ormond had business in town and she left miss regina at her own door nearly two hours since well Well, sir. I had hardly taken off my bonnet and shawl when I was sent for by mrs. Farnaby Have you unpacked your box yet says she I told her I hadn't had time to do so You needn't trouble yourself to unpack says she you are no longer in miss regina's service These are your wages with a month's wages besides in place of the customary warning I'm only a poor girl sir, but I often spoke to her as plain as she spoke to me I want to know I says why I am sent away in this uncivil manner I couldn't possibly repeat what she said my blood boils when I think of it phoebe declared with melodramatic vehemence Somebody has found us out sir somebody has told mrs. Farnaby of your private meeting with miss regina in the shrubbery And the money you kindly gave me I believe mrs. Ormond is at the bottom of it You remember nobody knew where she was when I thought she was in the house speaking to the cook That's guesswork. I allow so far What is certain is that I have been spoken to as if I was the lowest creature that walks the streets Mrs. Farnaby refuses to give me a character sir She actually said she would call in the police if I didn't leave the house in half an hour How am I to get another place without a character? I'm a ruined girl. That's what I am and all through you Threatened at this point with an illustrative outburst of sobbing Amelia's was simple enough to try the consoling influence of a sovereign Why don't you speak to miss regina? He asked you know, she will help you She has done all she can sir. I have nothing to say against miss regina. She's a good creature She came into the room and begged and prayed and took all the blame on herself Mrs. Farnaby wouldn't hear a word. I'm mistress here. She says you had better go back to your room Oh, mr. Amelia's I can tell you miss Farnaby is your enemy as well as mine You'll never marry her niece if she can stop it mark my word sir That's the secret of the vile manner in which she has used me My conscience is clear. Thank god. I've tried to serve the cause of true love and I'm not ashamed of it Never mind. My turn is to come. I'm only a poor servant set adrift in the world without a character Wait a little you see if I am not even and better than even with mrs. Farnaby before long I know what I know I am not going to say any more than that. She shall rue the day cried phoebe relapsing into melodrama again When she turned me out of the house like a thief Come come said amelia sharply. You mustn't speak in that way Phoebe had got her money. She could afford to be independent. She rose from her chair The insolence which is the almost invariable accompaniment of a sense of injury among english women of her class expressed itself in her answer to amelia's I speak as I think sir. I have some spirit in me I am not a woman to be trodden underfoot and so mrs. Farnaby shall find before she is many days older Phoebe Phoebe you are talking like a heathen If mrs. Farnaby has behaved to you with unjust severity Set her an example of moderation on your side. It's your duty as a christian to forgive injuries Phoebe burst out laughing Thank you, sir for a sermon as well as a sovereign. You have been most kind indeed She changed suddenly from irony to anger I never was called a heathen before Considering what I have done for you. I think you might at least have been civil Good afternoon, sir She lifted her saucy little snub nose and walked with dignity out of the room For the moment amelius was amused as he heard the house door closed He turned laughing to the window for a last look at Phoebe and the character of an injured christian In an instant the smile left his lips. He drew back from the window with a start A man had been waiting for Phoebe in the street At the moment when amelius looked out she had just taken his arm He glanced back at the house as they walked away together Amelius immediately recognized in Phoebe's companion and sweetheart a vagabond irishman nicknamed jervy Whose face he had last seen at tadmore Employed as one of the agents of the community in transacting their business with a neighboring town He had been dismissed for misconduct and had been unwisely taken back again At the intercession of a respectable person who believed in his promises of amendment Amelius had suspected this man of being the spy who officially informed against mellicent and himself But having discovered no evidence to justify his suspicions he had remained silent on the subject It was now quite plain to him that jervy's appearance in london could only be attributed to a second dismissal from the service of the community For some offense sufficiently serious to oblige him to take refuge in england A more disreputable person it was hardly possible for Phoebe to have become acquainted with In her present vindictive mood. He would be emphatically a dangerous companion and counselor Amelius felt this so strongly that he determined to follow them on the chance of finding out where jervy lived Unhappily he had only arrived at this resolution after a lapse of a minute or two He ran into the street, but it was too late. Not a trace of them was to be discovered Pursuing his way to mr. Farnaby's house. He decided on mentioning what had happened to Regina Her aunt had not acted wisely in refusing to let the maid refer to her for a character She would do well to set herself right with Phoebe in this particular before it was too late End of book the fifth chapter one book five the fatal lecture chapter two The fallen leaves This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Rita Boutros The fallen leaves by Wilkie Collins Book five the fatal lecture chapter two Mrs. Farnaby stood at the door of her own room and looked at her niece with an air of contemptuous curiosity Well, you and your lover have had a fine time of it together, I suppose. What do you want here? Amelia's wishes particularly to speak to you aunt Tell him to save himself the trouble. He may reconcile your uncle to his marriage. He won't reconcile me It's not about that aunt. It's about Phoebe Does he want me to take Phoebe back again? At that moment Amelia's appeared in the hall and answered the question himself I want to give you a word of warning. He said Mrs. Farnaby smiled grimly that excites my curiosity. She replied come in I don't want you she added dismissing her niece at the door So you're willing to wait 10 years for Regina? She continued when Amelia's was alone with her I'm disappointed in you. You're a poor weak creature after all. What about that young hussy Phoebe? Amelia's told her unreservedly all that had passed between the discarded maid and himself Not forgetting before he concluded to caution her on the subject of the maid's companion I don't know what that man may not do to mislead Phoebe. He said if I were you I wouldn't drive her into a corner Mrs. Farnaby eyed him scornfully from head to foot You used to have the spirit of a man in you she answered Keeping company with Regina has made you a milk-sop already If you want to know what I think of Phoebe and her sweetheart She stopped and snapped her fingers there. She said that's what I think Now go back to Regina. I can tell you one thing. She will never be your wife Amelia's looked at her in quiet surprise It seems odd he remarked that you should treat me as you do After what you said to me the last time I was in this room You expect me to help you in the dearest wish of your life And you do everything you can to thwart the dearest wish of my life A man can't keep his temper under continual provocation Suppose I refuse to help you Mrs. Farnaby looked at him with the most exasperating composure I defy you to do it. She answered You defy me to do it. Amelia's exclaimed Do you take me for a fool? Mrs. Farnaby went on. Do you think I don't know you better than you know yourself? She stepped up close to him her voice sank suddenly too low and tender tones If that last unlikely chance should turn out in my favor, she went on If you really did meet with my poor girl one of these days and knew that you had met with her Do you mean to say you could be cruel enough no matter how badly I behaved to you to tell me nothing about it? Is that the heart I can feel beating under my hand? Is that the christianity you learned at Tadmore? Poo-poo you foolish boy go back to Regina and tell her you have tried to frighten me and you find it won't do The next day was saturday the advertisement of the lecturer appeared in the newspapers Rufus confessed that he had been extravagant enough in the case of the two weekly journals to occupy half a page The public he explained have got a nasty way of overlooking advertisements of a modest and retiring character Hit them in the eyes when they open the paper or you don't hit them at all Among the members of the public attracted by the new announcement Mrs. Farnaby was one she honored Amelia's with a visit at his lodgings I called you a poor weak creature yesterday. These were her first words on entering the room I talked like a fool. You're a splendid fellow. I respect your courage and I shall attend your lecture Never mind what mr. Farnaby and Regina say Regina's poor little conventional soul is shaken. I dare say You needn't expect to have my niece among your audience But Farnaby is a humbug as usual. He affects to be horrified. He talks big about breaking off the match In his own self. He's bursting with curiosity to know how you will get through with it I tell you this he will sneak into the hall and stand at the back where nobody can see him I shall go with him and when you're on the platform. I'll hold up my handkerchief like this Then you'll know he's there Hit him hard. Amelius hit him hard Where is your friend Rufus just gone away? I like that American Give him my love and tell him to come and see me She left the room as abruptly as she had entered it Amelius looked after her in amazement. Mrs. Farnaby was not like herself. Mrs. Farnaby was in good spirits Regina's opinion of the lecture arrived by post Every other word in her letter was underlined half the sentences began with oh Regina was shocked astonished ashamed alarmed What would amelius do next? Why had he deceived her and left her to find it out in the papers? He had undone all the good effect of those charming letters to her father and herself He had no idea of the disgust and abhorrence which respectable people would feel at his odious socialism Was she never to know another happy moment and was amelius to be the cause of it and so on and so on Mr. Farnaby's protest followed delivered by mr. Farnaby himself He kept his gloves on when he called he was solemn and pathetic He remonstrated in the character of one of the ancestors of amelius He pitied the ancient family moldering in the silent grave He would abstain from deciding in a hurry, but his daughter's feelings were outraged And he feared it might be his duty to break off the match Amelius with perfect good temper offered him a free admission and asked him to hear the lecture and decide for himself Whether there was any harm in it Mr. Farnaby turned his head away from the ticket as if it was something indecent Sad sad That was his only farewell to the gentleman's socialist On this sunday being the only day in london on which a man can use his brains without being interrupted by street music Amelius rehearsed his lecture on the monday. He paid his weekly visit to regina She was reported whether truly or not It was impossible for him to discover to have gone out in the carriage with mrs. Ormond Amelius wrote to her in soothing and affectionate terms Suggesting as he had suggested to her father that she should wait to hear the lecture before she condemned it In the meantime he entreated her to remember that they had promised to be true to one another in time and eternity socialism notwithstanding The answer came back where private messenger the tone was serious Regina's principles forbade her to attend a socialist lecture She hoped amelius was in earnest in writing as he did about time and eternity The subject was very awful to a rightly constituted mind On the next page some mitigation of this severity followed in a postscript Regina would wait at home to see amelius the day after his regrettable appearance in public The evening of tuesday was the evening of the lecture Rufus posted himself at the ticket taker's office in the interest of amelius Even six pence's do sometimes stick to a man's fingers on their way from the public to the money box he remarked The six pence's did indeed flow in rapidly the advertisements had so far produced their effect But the reserved seats sold very slowly The members of the institution who were admitted for nothing arrived in large numbers and secured the best places Towards eight o'clock the hour at which the lecture was to begin the six penny audience was still pouring in Rufus recognized Phoebe among the late arrivals Escorted by a person in the dress of a gentleman who was palpably a black guard nevertheless A short stout lady followed who warily shook hands with Rufus and said let me introduce you to mr. Farnaby Mr. Farnaby's mouth and chin were shrouded in a wrapper his hat was over his eyebrows Rufus observed that he looked as if he was ashamed of himself A gaunt dirty savage old woman miserably dressed offered his six pence to the money taker While the two gentlemen were shaking hands The example it is needless to say being set by Rufus The old woman looked attentively at all that was visible of mr. Farnaby That is to say at his eyes and his whiskers by the gas lamp hanging in the corridor She instantly drew back though she had got her ticket Waited until mr. Farnaby had paid for his wife and himself and then followed close behind them into the hall And why not the advertisements address this wretched old creature as one of the poor and discontented public Sixteen years ago John Farnaby had put his own child into that woman's hands at Ramsgate And had never seen either of them since End of book five chapter two book five Chapter three the fallen leaves. This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer Please visit LibriVox.org recording by Rita Butros The fallen leaves by Wilkie Collins book five chapter three Entering the hall mr. Farnaby discovered without difficulty the position of modest retirement of which he was in search The cheap seats were situated as usual on that part of the floor of the building which was farthest from the platform A gallery at this end of the hall through its shadow over the hindermost benches And the gangway by which they were approached in the sheltering obscurity thus produced mr. Farnaby took his place Standing in the corner formed by the angle of it which the two walls of the building met With his dutiful wife at his side Still following them unnoticed in the crowd the old woman stopped at the extremity of the hindermost bench Looked close at a smartly dressed young man who occupied the last seat at the end And who paid marked attention to a pretty girl sitting by him and whispered in his ear Now then jervy can't you make room for mother salar? The man started and looked round you hear he exclaimed within oath Before he could say more phoebe whispered to him on the other side What a horrid old creature. How did you ever come to know her? At the same moment mrs. Salar reiterated her request in more peremptory language Dear here jervy dear here sit a little closer Jervy apparently had his reasons for treating the expression of mrs. Salar's wishes with deference Shabby as she was Making abundant apologies. He asked his neighbors to favor him by sitting a little nearer to each other And so contrived to leave a morsel of vacant space at the edge of the bench Phoebe making room under protest began to whisper again What does she mean by calling you jervy? She looks like a beggar. Tell her your name is jervis The reply she received did not encourage her to say more Hold your tongue. I have reasons for being civil to her. You be civil too He turned to mrs. Salar with the readiest submission to circumstances Under the surface of his showy looks and his vulgar facility of manner There lay hidden a substance of callous villainy and impenetrable cunning He had in him the materials out of which the clever murderers are made who baffle the police If he could have done it with impunity He would have destroyed without remorse the squalid old creature who sat by him And who knew enough of his past career in england to send him to penal servitude for life As it was he spoke to her with a spurious condescension and good humor Why it must be ten years mrs. Salar since I last saw you What have you been doing? The woman frowned at him as she answered Can't you look at me and see starving? She eyed his gaudy watch and chain greedily Money don't seem to be scarce with you. Have you made your fortune in america? He laid his hand on her arm and pressed it warningly Hush, he said under his breath. We'll talk about that after the lecture His bright shifty black eyes turned furtively towards Phoebe and mrs. Salar noticed it The girl's savings and service had paid for his jewelry and his fine clothes She silently resented his rudeness and telling her to hold her tongue Sitting sullen with her impudent little nose in the air Jervie tried to include her indirectly in his conversation with his shabby old friend This young lady he said knows mr. Goldenheart. She feels sure he'll break down and we've come here to see the fun I don't hold with socialism myself. I am for what my favorite newspaper calls the altar and the throne In short my politics are conservative Yet politics are in your girl's pocket mothered mrs. Salar. How long will her money last? Jervie turned a deaf ear to the interruption And what has brought you here? He went on in his most ingratiating way. Did you see the advertisement in the papers? Mrs. Salar answered loud enough to be heard above the hum of talking in the six penny places I was having a drop of gin and I saw the paper at the public house. I'm one of the discontented poor I hate rich people and I'm ready to pay my six pence to hear them abused Here here said a man near who looked like a shoemaker I hope he'll give it to the aristocracy added one of the shoemaker's neighbors Apparently a groom out of place I'm sick of the aristocracy cried a woman with a fiery face and a crushed bonnet It's them as swallows up the money What business have they with their palaces and their parks when my husband's out of work and my children hungry at home The acquiescent shoemaker listened with admiration very well put he said very well put These expressions of popular feeling reached the respectable ears of mr. Farnaby to hear those wretches. He said to his wife Mrs. Farnaby sees the welcome opportunity of irritating him Poor things she answered in their place. We should talk as they do You had better go into the reserved seats rejoined her husband turning from her with a look of disgust There's plenty of room. Why do you stop here? I couldn't think of leaving you my dear. How did you like my american friend? I am astonished at your taking the liberty of introducing him to me You knew perfectly well that I was here incognito. What do I care about a wandering american? Mrs. Farnaby persisted as maliciously as ever Ah, but you see I like him the wandering american is my ally Your ally, what do you mean? Good heavens how dull you are don't you know that I object to my niece's marriage engagement I was quite delighted when I heard of this lecture because it's an obstacle in the way It discuss Regina and it discuss you and my dear american is the man who first brought it about Hush here's amelius How well he looks so graceful and so gentlemanlike cried mrs. Farnaby Signaling with her handkerchief to show amelius their position in the hall I declare I'm ready to become a socialist before he opens his lips The personal appearance of amelius took the audience completely by surprise A man who is young and handsome is not the order of man Who is habitually associated in the popular mind with the idea of a lecture After a moment of silence there was a spontaneous burst of applause It was renewed when amelius first placing on his table a little book Announced his intention of delivering the lecture extemporary The absence of the inevitable manuscript was in itself an act of mercy that cheered the public at starting The orator of the evening began Ladies and gentlemen Thoughtful people accustomed to watch the signs of the times in this country and among the other nations of europe are So far as I know Agreed in the conclusion that serious changes are likely to take place in present forms of government And in existing systems of society before the century in which we live has reached its end In plain words the next revolution is not so unlikely and not so far off As it pleases the higher and wealthier classes among european populations to suppose I am one of those who believe that the coming convulsion will take the form this time Of a social revolution and that the man at the head of it will not be a military or a political man But a great citizen sprung from the people and devoted heart and soul to the people's cause Within the limits assigned to me tonight It is impossible that I should speak to you of government and society among other nations Even if I possessed the necessary knowledge and experience to venture on so vast a subject All that I can now attempt to do is first to point out some of the causes which are paving the way for a coming change in the social and political condition of this country And secondly to satisfy you that the only trustworthy remedy for existing abuses Is to be found in the system which christian socialism extracts from this little book on my table The book which you all know under the name of the new testament Before however, I enter on my task. I feel it a duty to say one preliminary word on the subject of my claim to address you such as it is I am most unwilling to speak of myself But my position here forces me to do so. I am a stranger to all of you and I am a very young man Let me tell you then briefly what my life has been and where I have been brought up And then decide for yourselves whether it is worth your while to favor me with your attention or not A very good opening remarked the shoemaker a nice looking fellow said the fiery faced woman. I should like to kiss him He's too civil by half grumbled mrs. Saller. I wish I had my six pants back in my pocket Give him time whispered derby and he'll warm up I say Phoebe he doesn't begin like a man who is going to break down I don't expect there will be much to laugh at tonight What an admirable speaker said mrs. Farnaby to her husband Fancy such a man as that being married to such an idiot as Regina There's always a chance for him returned to mr. Farnaby savagely as long as he's not married to such a woman as you In the meantime, Amelia's had claimed national kindred with his audience as an Englishman And had rapidly sketched his life at Tadmore in its most noteworthy points This done he put the question whether they would hear him His frankness and freshness had already won the public. They answered by a general shout of applause Very well, Amelia's proceeded now. Let us get on Suppose we take a glance we have no time to do more at the present state of our religious system first What is the public aspect of the thing called christianity in the england of our day? A hundred different sects all at variance with each other an established church Rent in every direction by incessant wrangling Disputes about black gowns or white about having candlesticks on tables or off tables About bowing to the east or bowing to the west about which doctrine collects the most respectable support And possesses the largest sum of money the doctrine in my church or the doctrine in your church Or the doctrine in the church over the way look up if you like from this Multitudinous and incessant squabbling among the rank and file To the high regions in which the right reverend representatives of state religions sit apart Are they christians if they are show me the bishop who dare assert his christianity in the house of lords When the ministry of the day happens to see its advantage in engaging in a war Where is that bishop and how many supporters does he count among his own order? Do you blame me for using intemperate language language, which I cannot justify Take a fair test and try me by that The result of the christianity of the new testament is to make men true humane Gentle modest Strictly scrupulous and strictly considerate in their dealings with their neighbors Does the christianity of the churches and the sex produce these results among us? Look at the staple of the country at the occupation which employs the largest number of englishmen of all degrees Look at our commerce What is its social aspect judged by the morality which is in this book in my hand? Let those organized systems of imposter Masquerading under the disguise of banks and companies answer the question There is no need for me to answer it You know what respectable names are associated year after year with the shameless falsification of accounts And the merciless ruin of thousands on thousands of victims You know how our poor indian customer finds his cotton print dress a sham that falls to pieces How the savage who deals honestly with us for his weapon finds his gun a delusion that bursts How the half-starved needlewoman who buys her reel of thread Finds printed on the label a false statement of the number of yards that she buys You know that in the markets of europe foreign goods are fast taking the place of english goods Because the foreigner is the most honest manufacturer of the two And lastly, you know what is worse than all that these cruel and wicked deceptions and many more like them Are regarded on the highest commercial authority as forms of competition and justifiable proceedings in trade Do you believe in the honorable accumulation of wealth by men who hold such opinions and perpetrate such imposter as these? I don't Do you find any brighter and purer prospect when you look down from the man who deceives you and me on the great scale To the man who deceives us on the small? I don't Everything we eat drink and wear is a more or less adulterated commodity And that very adulteration is sold to us by the tradesmen at such outrageous prices That we are obliged to protect ourselves on the socialist principle by setting up cooperative shops of our own Wait and hear me out before you applaud Don't mistake the plain purpose of what i am saying to you And don't suppose that i am blind to the brighter side of the dark picture that i have drawn Look within the limits of private life and you will find true christians thank god Among clergymen and laymen alike You will find men and women who deserve to be called in the highest sense of the word disciples of christ But my business is not with private life My business is with the present public aspect of the religion morals and politics of this country And again i say it that aspect presents one wide field of corruption and abuse And reveals a callous and shocking insensibility on the part of the nation at large to the spectacle of its own demoralization and disgrace There amelius paused and took his first drink of water Reserved seats at public performances seem by some curious affinity to be occupied by reserved persons The select public seated nearest to the order preserved discreet silence But the hearty applause from the six penny places made ample amends There was enough of the lecturers own vehemence and impetuosity in this opening attack Sustained as it undeniably was by a sound foundation of truth to appeal strongly to the majority of his audience Mrs. Sauer began to think that her six pence had been well laid out after all And mrs. Farnaby pointed the direct application to her husband of all the hardest hits at commerce By knotting her head at him as they were delivered amelius went on The next thing we have to discover is this will our present system of government supply us with peaceable means For the reform of the abuses which i have already noticed Not forgetting that other enormous abuse represented by our intolerable national expenditure Increasing with every year unless you insist on it I do not propose to waste our precious time by saying anything about the house of lords for three good reasons In the first place that assembly is not elected by the people and it has therefore no right of existence in a really free country In the second place out of its 485 members No less than 184 Directly profit by the expenditure of the public money Being in the annual receipt under one pretense or another of more than half a million sterling In the third place if the assembly of the commons has in it the will As well as the capacity to lead the way in the needful reforms The assembly of the lords has no alternative but to follow Or to raise the revolution which it only escaped by a hair's breath some 40 years since What do you say shall we waste our time in speaking of the house of lords? Loud cries from the six penny benches answered no The osler and the fiery faced woman being the most vociferous of all Here and there certain dissentient individuals raised a little hiss led by jervey in the interest of the altar and the throne amelias resumed Well, will the house of commons help us to get pure christianity and cheaper government by lawful and sufficient process of reform? Let me again remind you that this assembly has the power if it has the will Is it so constituted at present as to have the will? There is the question the number of members is a little over 650 out of this muster one fifth only represent or pretend to represent the trading interests of the country As for the members charged with the interests of the working class They are more easily counted still they are two in number Then in heaven's name you will ask What interest does the majority of members in this assembly represent? There is but one answer the military and aristocratic interest In these days of the decay of representative institutions The house of commons has become a complete misnomer The commons are not represented Modern members belong to classes of the community which have really no interest in providing for popular needs and lightning popular burdens In one word there is no sort of hope for us in the house of commons and whose fault is this I own it with shame and sorrow. It is emphatically the fault of the people Yes, I say to you plainly It is the disgrace and the peril of england that the people themselves have elected the representative assembly Which ignores the people's wants You voters in town and county alike having had every conceivable freedom and encouragement Secure to you in the exercise of your sacred trust And there is the modern house of commons to prove that you are thoroughly unworthy of it These bold words produced an outbreak of disapprobation from the audience Which for the moment completely overpowered the speaker's voice They were prepared to listen with inexhaustible patience to the enumeration of their virtues and their wrongs But they had not paid six pence each to be informed of the vicious and contemptible part which they play in modern politics They yelled and groaned and hissed and felt that their handsome young lecturer had insulted them Amelia's waited quietly until the disturbance had worn itself out I am sorry. I have made you angry with me. He said smiling The blame for this little disturbance really rests with the public speakers who are afraid of you and who flatter you Especially if you belong to the working classes You are not accustomed to have the truth told you to your faces Why my good friends the people in this country who are unworthy of the great trust Which the wise and generous english constitution places in their hands Are so numerous that they can be divided into distinct classes There is the highly educated class which despairs and holds aloof There is the class beneath without self-respect and therefore without public spirit Which can be bribed indirectly by a gift of a place by the concession of a lease Even by an invitation to a party at a great house Which includes the wives and the daughters and there is the lower class still mercenary corrupt Shameless to the marrow of its bones which sells itself and its liberties for money and drink When I began this discourse and adverted to great changes that are to come I spoke of them as revolutionary changes. Am I an alarmist? Do I unjustly ignore the capacity for peaceable reformation Which has preserved modern england from revolutions thus far? God forbid that I should deny the truth or that I should alarm you without need But history tells me if I look no farther back than to the first french revolution That there are social and political corruptions which strike their roots in a nation so widely and so deeply That no force short of the force of a revolutionary convulsion can tear them up and cast them away And I do personally fear and older and wiser men than I agree with me That the corruptions at which I have only been able to hint in this brief address Are fast extending themselves in england as well as in europe generally Beyond the reach of that lawful and bloodless reform which has served us so well in past years Whether I am mistaken in this view and I hope with all my heart it may be so Or whether events yet in the future will prove that I am right The remedy in either case the one sure foundation on which a permanent complete and worthy reformation can be built Whether it prevents a convulsion or whether it follows a convulsion Is only to be found within the covers of this book Do not I entreat you suffer yourselves to be persuaded by those perblind philosophers Who assert that the divine virtue of christianity is a virtue which is wearing out with the lapse of time It is the abuse and corruption of christianity that is wearing out as all falsities and all imposters must and do wear out Never since christ and his apostles first showed men the way to be better and happier Have the nation stood in sorrow need of a return to that teaching in its pristine purity and simplicity than now Never more certainly than at this critical time Was at the interest as well as the duty of mankind to turn a deaf ear to the turmoil of false teachers And to trust in that all wise and all merciful voice Which only cease to exalt console and purify humanity When it expired in darkness under the torture of the cross Are these the wild words of an enthusiast? Is this the dream of an earthly paradise in which it is sheer folly to believe? I can tell you of one existing community One among others which numbers some hundreds of persons and which has found prosperity and happiness By reducing the whole art and mystery of government to the simple solutions set forth in the new testament Fear god and love thy neighbor as thyself By these gradations amelius arrived at the second of the two parts into which he had divided his address He now repeated at greater length and with a more careful choice of language The statement of the religious and social principles of the community at tad more Which he had already addressed to his two fellow travelers on their voyage to england While he confined himself to plain narrative Describing a mode of life which was entirely new to his hearers He held the attention of the audience But when he began to argue the question of applying christian socialism to the government of large populations As well as small when he inquired logically whether what he had proved to be good for some hundreds of persons Was not also good for some thousands And conceding that for some hundreds of thousands and so on until he had arrived by dint of sheer argument At the conclusion that what had succeeded at tad more must necessarily succeed on a fair trial in london Then the public interest began to flag People remembered their coughs and colds and talked in whispers and looked about them with a vague feeling of relief in staring at each other Mrs. Sauer hitherto content with furtively glancing at mr. Farnaby from time to time Now began to look at him more boldly as he stood in his corner with his eyes fixed Sternly on the platform at the other end of the hall He too began to feel that the lecture was changing its tone It was no longer the daring outbreak which he had come to hear as his sufficient justification if necessary Forbidding amelios to enter his house I have had enough of it. He said suddenly turning to his wife. Let us go If mrs. Farnaby could have been forewarned that she was standing in that assembly of strangers Not as one of themselves But as a woman with a formidable danger hanging over her head Or if she had only happened to look towards Phoebe and had felt a passing reluctance to submit herself to the possibly Insolent notice of a discharged servant She might have gone out with her husband and might have so escaped the peril that had been lying in wait for her From the fatal moment when she first entered the hall As it was she refused to move You forget the public discussion. She said wait and see what sort of fight amelios makes of it when the lecture is over She spoke loud enough to be heard by some of the people seated nearest to her Phoebe critically examining the dresses of the few ladies in the reserved seats Twisted round on the bench and noticed for the first time the presence of mister and mrs. Farnaby in their dim corner Look she whispered to jervey. There's the wretch who turned me out of her house without a character And her husband with her jervey looked round in his turn a little doubtful of the accuracy of his sweetheart's information Surely they wouldn't come to the six pennies place as he said are you certain it's mister and mrs. Farnaby He spoke in cautiously lowered tones But mrs. Sauer had seen him look back at the lady and gentlemen in the corner And was listening attentively to catch the first words that fell from his lips Which is mr. Farnaby she asked The man in the corner there with the white silk wrapper over his mouth and his hat down to his eyebrows mrs. Sauer looked round for a moment to make sure that jervey's man and her man were one and the same Farnaby she muttered to herself in the tone of a person who heard the name for the first time She considered a little and leaning across jervey addressed herself to his companion My dear she whispered did that gentleman ever go by the name of morgan and have his letters addressed to the george and dragon in tully street Phoebe lifted her eyebrows with a look of contemptuous surprise, which was an answer in itself Fancy the great mr. Farnaby going by an assumed name and having his letters addressed to a public house. She said to jervey Mrs. Sauer asked no more questions. She relapsed into muttering to herself under her breath His whiskers have turned gray to be sure, but I know his eyes again. I'll take my oath to it There's no mistaking his eyes She suddenly appeared to jervey is mr. Farnaby rich. She asked Rolling in riches was the answer. Where does he live? Jervey was cautious how he replied to that he consulted Phoebe shall I tell her Phoebe answered petulantly i'm turned out of the house. I don't care what you tell her Jervey again addressed the old woman still keeping his information in reserve Why do you want to know where he lives? He owes me money said mrs. Sauer Jervey looked hard at her and emitted a long low whistle expressive of blank amazement The persons near annoyed by the incessant whispering looked round irritably and insisted on silence Jervey ventured nevertheless on a last interruption You seem to be tired of this he remarked to Phoebe. Let's go and get some oysters She rose directly Jervey tapped mrs. Sauer on the shoulder as they passed her come and have some supper he said I'll stand treat The three were necessarily noticed by their neighbors as they passed out Mrs. Farnaby discovered Phoebe when it was too late Mr. Farnaby happened to look first at the old woman 16 years of squalid poverty effectively disguised her in that dim light He only looked away again and said to his wife impatiently. Let us go to Mrs. Farnaby was still obstinate. You can go if you like she said I shall stay here End of book five chapter three Book the fifth chapter four The fallen leaves This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer Please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Rita Butros The fallen leaves by Wilkie Collins Book five the fatal lecture chapter four Three dozen oysters bread and butter and bottled stout a private room and a good fire issuing these instructions on his arrival at the tavern Jervey was surprised by a sudden act of interference on the part of his venerable guest Mrs. Sauer actually took it on herself to order her own supper Nothing cold to eat or drink for me. She said Morning and night waking and sleeping. I can't keep myself warm See for yourself. Jervey how I've lost flesh since you first knew me A steak broiling hot from the gridiron and gin and water hotter still That's the supper for me Take the order waiter said Jervey residedly and let us see the private room The tavern was of the old-fashioned English sort which scorns to learn a lesson of brightness and elegance from France The private room can only be described as a museum for the exhibition of dirt in all its varieties Behind the bars of the rusty little grate a dying fire was drawing its last breath Mrs. Sauer clamored for wood and coals revived the fire with her own hands And ceded herself shivering as close to the fender as the chair would go After a while the composing effect of the heat began to make its influence felt the head of the half starved Wretch sank a species of stupor overcame her half faintness and half sleep Phoebe and her sweetheart sat together Waiting the appearance of the supper on a little sofa at the other end of the room Having certain objects to gain Jervey put his arm round her waist and looked and spoken his most insinuating manner Try and put up with mother Sauer for an hour or two. He said my sweet girl I know she isn't fit company for you, but how can I turn my back on an old friend? That's just what surprises me Phoebe answered. I don't understand such a person being a friend of yours Always ready with the necessary lie whenever the occasion called for it Jervey invented a pathetic little story in two short parts First part Mrs. Sauer rich and respected a widow inhabiting a villa residence and riding in her carriage Second part a villainous lawyer misplaced confidence reckless investments death of the villain ruin of mrs. Sauer Don't talk about her misfortunes when she wakes jervey concluded or she'll burst out crying to a dead certainty Only tell me dear Phoebe would you turn your back on a forlorn old creature because she has outlived all her other friends And hasn't a farthing left in the world Poor as I am I can help her to a supper at any rate Phoebe expressed her admiration of these noble sentiments by an inexpensive Ebullition of tenderness which failed to fulfill jervey's private anticipations He had aimed straight at her purse and he had only hit her heart He tried a broad hint next I wonder whether I shall have a shilling or two left to give mrs. Sauer when I have paid for the supper He sighed and pulled out some small change and looked at it in eloquent silence Phoebe was hit in the right place at last She handed him her purse What is mine will be yours when we are married. She said why not now Jervey expressed his sense of obligation with the promptitude of a grateful man He repeated those precious words my sweet girl Phoebe laid her head on his shoulder and let him kiss her and enjoyed it in silent ecstasy with half-closed eyes The scoundrel waited and watched her until she was completely under his influence Then and not till then he risked the gradual revelation of the purpose which had induced him to withdraw from the hall Before the proceedings of the evening had reached their end Did you hear what mrs. Sauer said to me just before we left the lecture he asked? No, dear You remember that she asked me to tell her farneby's address Oh, yes, and she wanted to know if he had ever gone by the name of morgan ridiculous, wasn't it? I'm not so sure of that my dear. She told me in so many words that farneby owed her money He didn't make his fortune all at once. I suppose How do we know what he might have done in his young days or how he might have humbugged a feeble woman? Wait till our friend there at the fire has warmed her old bones with some hot grog And I'll find out something more about farneby's debt Why dear what is it to you? Jervey reflected for a moment and decided that the time had come to speak more plainly In the first place he said it would only be an act of common humanity on my part To help mrs. Sauer to get her money you see that don't you very well Now I am no socialist as you are aware quite the contrary at the same time I am a remarkably just man and I own I was struck by what mr. Goldenheart said about the uses to which wealthy people are put by the rules at tadmore The man who has got the money is bound by the express law of christian morality To use it in assisting the man who has got none Those were his words as nearly as I can remember them He put it still more strongly afterwards He said a man who hoards up a large fortune from a purely selfish motive either because he is a miser Or because he looks only to the aggrandizement of his own family after his death Is in either case an essentially unchristian person who stands in manifest need of enlightenment and control by christian law And then if you remember some of the people murmured and mr. Goldenheart stopped them by reading a line from the new testament Which said exactly what he had been saying only in fewer words Now my dear girl far to be seems to me to be one of the many people pointed at in this young gentleman's lecture Judging by looks I should say he was a hard man That's just what he is hard as iron looks at his servants as if they were dirt under his feet And never speaks a kind word to them from one year's end to another Suppose I guess again. He's not particularly free-handed with his money. Is he He he will spend anything on himself and his grandeur, but he never gave away a half penny in his life Jervie pointed to the fireplace with a burst of virtuous indignation And there's that poor old soul starving for want of the money. He owes her Damn it. I agree with the socialist. It's a virtue to make that sort of man bleed Look at you and me. We are the very people he ought to help We might be married at once if we only knew where to find a little money I've seen a deal of the world Phoebe and my experience tells me there's something about that debt of Farnabes which he doesn't want to have known Why shouldn't we screw a few five pound notes for ourselves out of the rich miser's fears? Phoebe was cautious It's against the law ain't it she said Trust me to keep clear of the law Jervie answered I won't stir in the matter till I know for certain that he dare and take the police into his confidence It will be all easy enough when we are once sure of that You have been long enough in the family to find out Farnabes weak side Would it do if we got at him to begin with through his wife? Phoebe suddenly reddened to the roots of her hair. Don't talk to me about his wife. She broke out fiercely I've got a day of reckoning to come with that lady She looked at Jervie and checked herself He was watching her with an eager curiosity, which not even his ready cunning was quick enough to conceal I wouldn't intrude on your little secrets darling for the world. He said in his most persuasive tones But if you want advice, you know that I am heart and soul at your service Phoebe looked across the room at mrs. Sauer still nodding over the fire Never mind now. She said I don't think it's a matter for a man to advise about it's between mrs. Farnaby and me Do what you like with her husband. I don't care. He's a brute and I hate him But there's one thing I insist on I won't have miss Regina frightened or annoyed mind that She's a good creature there read the letter. She wrote to me yesterday and judge for yourself Jervie looked at the letter. It was not very long. He resignedly took upon himself the burden of reading it Dear Phoebe don't be downhearted. I am your friend always and I will help you to get another place I am sorry to say that it was indeed mrs. Ormond who found us out that day She had her suspicions and she watched us and told my aunt This she owned to me with her own lips She said I would do anything my dear to save you from an ill assorted marriage I am very wretched about it because I can never look on her as my friend again My aunt as you know is of mrs. Ormond's way of thinking You must make allowances for her hot temper. Remember out of your kindness towards me You had been secretly helping forward the very thing which she was most anxious to prevent That made her very angry But never fear she will come around in time If you don't want to spend your little savings while you are waiting for another situation Let me know a share of my pocket money is always at your service your friend Regina Very nice indeed said jervie handing the letter back and yawning as he did it And convenient too if we run short of money. Ah, here's the waiter with the supper at last Now mrs. Saller there's a time for everything it's time to wake up He lifted the old woman off her chair and settled her before the table like a child The sight of the hot food and drink roused her to a tigerish activity She devoured the meat with her eyes as well as her teeth She drank the hot gin and water in fear sculpts and set down the glass with audible gasps of relief Another one she cried and I shall begin to feel warm again Jervie watching her from the opposite side of the table with Phoebe close by him as usual Had his own motives for encouraging her to talk by the easy means of encouraging her to drink He sent for another glass of the hot grog Phoebe daintily picking up her oysters with her fork affected to be shocked at mrs. Saller's course method of eating and drinking She kept her eyes on her plate and only consented to taste malt liquor under modest protest When jervie lit a cigar after finishing his supper she reminded him in an impressively gentile manner Of the consideration which he owed to the presence of an elderly lady I like it myself dear she said mincingly but perhaps mrs. Saller objects to the smell Mrs. Saller burst into a horse laugh Do I look as if I was likely to be squeamish about smells she asked with the savage contempt for her own poverty Which was one of the dangerous elements in her character See the place I live in young woman and then talk about smells if you like This was indelicate Phoebe picked a last oyster out of its shell and kept her eyes modestly fixed on her plate Observing that the second glass of gin and water was fast becoming empty Jervie risked the first advances on his way to mrs. Saller's confidence About that debt of farnebis he began is it a debt of long standing? Mrs. Saller was on her guard in other words mrs. Saller's head was only a salable by hot grog When hot grog was administered in large quantities She said it was a debt of long standing and she said no more Has it been standing seven years? Mrs. Saller emptied her glass and looked hard at Jervie across the table My memory isn't good for much at my time of life She gave him that answer and she gave him no more Jervie yielded with his best grace try a third glass he said there is luck, you know in odd numbers Mrs. Saller met this advance in the spirit in which it was made She was obliging enough to consult her memory even before the third glass made its appearance Seven years. Did you say she repeated more than twice seven years Jervie? What do you think of that? Jervie wasted no time in thinking he went on with his questions Are you quite sure that the man I pointed out to you at the lecture Is the same man who went by the name of Morgan and had his letters addressed to the public house? Quite sure I'd swear to him anywhere only by his eyes And have you never yet asked him to pay the debt? How could I ask him when I never knew what his name was till you told me tonight? What amount of money does he owe you? Whether Mrs. Saller had her mind prophetically fixed on a fourth glass of grog Or whether she thought it time to begin asking questions on her own account is not easy to say Whatever her motive might be she slightly shook her head and winked at Jervie The money's my business she remarked you tell me where he lives and I'll make him pay me Jervie was equal to the occasion you won't do anything of the sort he said Mrs. Saller laughed defiantly so you think my fine fellow I don't think at all old lady. I'm certain in the first place Farnaby don't owe you the debt by law after seven years in the second place Just look at yourself in the glass there Do you think the servants will let you in when you knock at Farnaby's door? You want a clever fellow to help you or you'll never recover that debt Mrs. Saller was accessible to reason even halfway through her third glass of grog When reason was presented to her in convincing terms she came to the point at once How much do you want? she asked Nothing Jervie answered I don't look to you to pay my commission Mrs. Saller reflected a little and understood him Say that again she insisted in the presence of your young woman as a witness Jervie touched his young woman's hand under the table warning her to make no objection and to leave it to him Having declared for the second time that he would not take a farthing from Mrs. Saller he went on with his inquiries I'm acting in your interest mother Saller he said and you'll be the loser if you don't answer my questions patiently and tell me the truth I want to go back to the debt What is it for? For a six weeks keep of a child at ten shillings a week Feebie looked up from her plate Whose child Jervie asked noticing the sudden movement Morgan's child the same man you said was Farnaby Do you know who the mother was? I wish I did I should have got the money out of her long ago Jervie stole a look at Feebie She had turned pale she was listening with her eyes riveted on Mrs. Saller's ugly face How long ago was it Jervie went on? Better than sixteen years Did Farnaby himself give you the child? With his own hands over the garden pailing of a house at Ramsgate He saw me and the child into the train for London I had ten pounds from him and no more He promised to see me and settle everything in a month's time I have never set eyes on him from that day Till I saw him pay in his money this evening at the door of the hall Jervie stole another look at Feebie She was still perfectly unconscious that he was observing her Her attention was completely absorbed by Mrs. Saller's replies Speculating on the possible result Jervie abandoned the question of the debt and devoted his next inquiries to the subject of the child I promise you every farthing of your money Mother Saller he said with interest added to it How old was the child when Farnaby gave it to you? Old? Not a week old I should say Not a week old Jervie repeated with his eye on Feebie Dear dear me a newborn baby one may say The girl's excitement was fast getting beyond control She leaned across the table in her eagerness to hear more And how long was this poor child under your care Jervie went on How can I tell you at this distance of time? For some months I should say this I'm certain of I kept it for six good weeks after the ten pounds he gave me were spent And then she stopped and looked at Feebie And then you got rid of it? Mrs. Saller felt for Jervie's foot under the table And gave it a significant kick I've done nothing to be ashamed of Miss She said addressing her answer defiantly to Feebie Being too poor to keep the little dear myself I placed it under the care of a good lady who adopted it Feebie could restrain herself no longer She burst out with the next question before Jervie could open his lips Do you know where the lady is now? No, said Mrs. Saller shortly, I don't Do you know where to find the child? Mrs. Saller slowly stirred up the remains of her grug I know no more than you do Any more questions, Miss? Feebie's excitement completely blinded her to the evident signs of a change In Mrs. Saller's temper for the worse She went on headlong Have you never seen the child since you gave her to the lady? Mrs. Saller sat down her glass Just as she was raising it to her lips Jervie paused thunderstruck in the act of lighting a second cigar Her? Mrs. Saller repeated slowly Her eyes fixed on Feebie with a lowering expression Of suspicion and surprise Her? She turned to Jervie Did you ask me if the child was a girl or a boy? I never even thought of it, Jervie replied Did I happen to say it myself without being asked? Jervie deliberately abandoned Feebie to the implacable old wretch Before whom she had betrayed herself It was the only likely way of forcing the girl to confess everything No, he answered, you never said it without being asked Mrs. Saller turned once more to Feebie How do you know the child was a girl? She inquired Feebie trembled and said nothing She sat with her head down and her hands fast clasped together Resting on her lap Might I ask if you please, Mrs. Saller proceeded With a ferocious assumption of courtesy How old you are, miss? You're young enough and pretty enough Not to mind answering to your age, I'm sure Even Jervie's villainous experience of the world Failed to forewarn him of what was coming Feebie, it is needless to say Instantly fell into the trap 24 she replied next birthday And the child was put into my hands 16 years ago, said Mrs. Saller Take 16 from 24 and eight remains I'm more surprised than ever, miss At your knowing it to be a girl It couldn't have been your child, could it? Feebie started to her feet in a state of fury Do you hear that? She cried, appealing to Jervie How dare you bring me here to be insulted by that drunken wretch Mrs. Saller rose on her side The old savage snatched up her empty glass Intending to throw it at Feebie At the same moment the ready Jervie caught her by the arm Dragged her out of the room and shut the door behind them There was a bench on the landing outside He pushed Mrs. Saller down on the bench with one hand And took Feebie's purse out of his pocket with the other Here's a pound he said Towards the recovery of that debt of yours Go home quietly and meet me at the door of this house tomorrow evening at six Mrs. Saller opening her lips to protest Suddenly closed them again Fascinated by the sight of the gold She clutched the coin and became friendly and familiar in a moment Help me downstairs, dearie, she said And put me into a cab I'm afraid of the night air One word more before I put you into a cab, said Jervie What did you really do with the child? Mrs. Saller grinned hideously And whispered her reply in the strictest confidence Solder to Maldavis for five and sixpence Who was Maldavis? A cadger And you really know nothing now of Maldavis or the child Should I want you to help me if I did? Mrs. Saller asked contemptuously They may be both dead and buried for all I know to the contrary Jervie put her into the cab without further delay Now for the other one he said to himself As he hurried back to the private room End of book five chapter four Book the fifth chapter five of The Fallen Leaves This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer Please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Rita Butros The Fallen Leaves by Wilkie Collins Book the fifth The Fatal Lecture Chapter five Some men would have found it no easy task To console Phoebe under the circumstances Jervie had the immense advantage Of not feeling the slightest sympathy for her He was in full command of his large resources Of fluent assurance and ready flattery In less than five minutes Phoebe's tears were dried And her lover had his arm around her waist again In the character of a cherished and forgiven man Now my angel he said Phoebe sighed tenderly He had never called her his angel before Tell me all about it in confidence Only let me know the facts And I shall see my way to protecting you Against any annoyance for Mrs. Sauer in the future You have made a very extraordinary discovery Come closer to me my dear girl Did it happen in Farneby's house? I heard it in the kitchen said Phoebe Jervie started Didn't anyone else hear it? he asked No, they were all in the housekeeper's room Looking at the Indian curiosities Which her son in Canada had sent to her I had left my bird on the dresser And I ran into the kitchen to put the cage In a safe place being afraid of the cat One of the swinging windows in the skylight was open And I heard voices in the back room above Which is Mrs. Farneby's room Whose voices did you hear? Mrs. Farneby's voice and Mr. Goldenheart's Mrs. Farneby? Jervie repeated in surprise Are you sure it was Mrs? Of course I am Do you think I don't know that hard woman's voice? She was saying a most extraordinary thing When I first heard her She was asking if there was anything wrong In showing her naked foot And a man answered and the voice was Mr. Goldenheart's You would have felt curious to hear more if you had been in my place, wouldn't you? I opened the second window in the kitchen So as to make sure of not missing anything And what do you think I heard her say? You mean Mrs. Farneby? Yes, I heard her say Look at my right foot You see there's nothing to matter with it And then after a while she said Look at my left foot Look between the third toe and the fourth Did you ever hear of such an audacious thing For a married woman to say to a young man Go on, go on, what did he say? Nothing, I suppose he was looking at her foot Her left foot? Yes, her left foot was nothing to be proud of, I can tell you By her own account She has some horrid deformity in it Between the third toe and the fourth No, I didn't hear her say what the deformity was I only heard her call it so And she said her poor darling was born with the same fault And that was her defense against being imposed upon by rogues I remember the very words In the past days when I employed people to find her Yes, she said her I heard it plainly And she talked afterwards of her poor lost daughter Who might be still living somewhere And wondering who her mother was Naturally enough, when I heard that hateful old drunkard Talking about a child given to her by Mr. Farnaby I put two and two together Dear me, how strangely you look What's wrong with you? I'm only very much interested, that's all But there's one thing I don't understand What had Mr. Goldenheart to do with all this? Didn't I tell you? No Well then I'll tell you now Mrs. Farnaby is not only a heartless wretch Who turns a poor girl out of her situation And refuses to give her a character She's a fool besides That precious exhibition of her nasty foot Was to inform Mr. Goldenheart of something she wanted him to know If he happened to meet with a girl In his walks or his travels And if he found that she had the same deformity And the same foot, then he might know for certain All right, I understand But why Mr. Goldenheart? Because she had a dream That Mr. Goldenheart had found the lost girl And because she thought there was one chance in a hundred That her dream might come true Did you ever hear of such a fool before? From what I could make out I believe she actually cried about it And that same woman turns me Into the street to be ruined For all she knows or cares Mind this, I would have kept her secret It was no business of mine after all If she had behaved decently to me As it is, I mean to be even with her And what I heard down in the kitchen Is more than enough to help me to it I'll expose her somehow I don't quite know how But that will come with time You will keep the secret, dear, I'm sure We are soon to have all our secrets in common When we are man and wife, ain't we? Why, you're not listening to me What is the matter with you? Jervie suddenly looked up His soft insinuating manner had vanished He spoke roughly and impatiently I want to know something Has Farnaby's wife got money of her own? Phoebe's mind was still disturbed By the change in her lover You speak as if you were angry with me, she said Jervie recovered his insinuating tones With some difficulty My dear girl, I love you How can I be angry with you? You've set me thinking And it bothers me a little, that's all Do you happen to know If Mrs. Farnaby has got money of her own? Phoebe answered this time I've heard Ms. Regina say That Mrs. Farnaby's father was a rich man, she said What was his name? Ronald Do you know when he died? No Jervie fell into thought again Biting his nails in great perplexity After a moment or two an idea came to him The tombstone will tell me, he exclaimed Speaking to himself He turned to Phoebe before she could express her surprise And asked if she knew where Mr. Ronald was buried Yes, said Phoebe, I've heard that In Highgate Cemetery But why do you want to know? Jervie looked at his watch It's getting late, he said I'll see you save home But I want to know Put on your bonnet And wait till we are out in the street Jervie paid the bill With all needful remembrance of the waiter He was generous, he was polite But he was apparently in no hurry to favor Phoebe With the explanation that he had promised They had left the tavern for some minutes And he was still rude enough to remain absorbed In his own reflections Phoebe's patience gave way I have told you everything, she said reproachfully I don't call it fair Dealing to keep me in the dark after that He roused himself directly My dear girl, you entirely mistake me The reply was as ready as usual But it was spoken rather absently Only that moment he had decided on informing Phoebe To some extent at least Of the purpose which he was then meditating He would infinitely have preferred using Mrs. Sauer As his sole accomplice But he knew the girl too well to run that risk If he refused to satisfy her curiosity She would be deterred by no scruples of delicacy From privately watching him And she might say something Either by word of mouth or by writing To the kind young mistress Who was in correspondence with her Which might lead to disastrous results It was of the last importance to him So far to associate Phoebe with his projected enterprise As to give her an interest of her own And keeping his secrets I have not the least wish he resumed To conceal anything from you So far as I can see my way at present You shall see it too Reserving in this dexterous manner The freedom of lying Whenever he found it necessary to depart from the truth He smiled encouragingly And waited to be questioned Phoebe repeated the inquiry she had made at the tavern Why do you want to know where Mr. Ronald is buried? She asked bluntly Mr. Ronald's tombstone, my dear, Will tell us the date of Mr. Ronald's death, Jervie rejoined When I have got the date I shall go to a place near St. Paul's Called Doctor's Commons I shall pay a shilling fee And I shall have the privilege Of looking at Mr. Ronald's will And what good will that do you? Very properly put, Phoebe, Even shillings are not to be wasted in our position But my shilling will buy two six penny-worths of information I shall find out what sum of money Mr. Ronald has left to his daughter And I shall know for certain Whether Mrs. Farneby's husband Has any power over it or not Well, said Phoebe, not much interested so far And what then? Jervie looked about him They were in a crowded thoroughfare at the time He preserved a discreet silence Until they had arrived at the first turning Which led down a quiet street What I have to tell you, he said, Must not be accidentally heard by anybody Here, my dear, we are all but out of the world And here I can speak to you safely I promise you two good things You shall bring Mrs. Farneby to that day of reckoning And we will find money enough To marry uncomfortably as soon as you like Phoebe's languid interest in the subject Began to revive She insisted on having a clearer explanation than this Do you mean to get the money out of Mr. Farneby? She inquired I will have nothing to do with Mr. Farneby Unless I find that his wife's money Is not at her own disposal What you heard in the kitchen has altered all my plans Wait a minute, and you will see what I am driving at How much do you think Mrs. Farneby would give me If I found that lost daughter of hers? Phoebe suddenly stood still And looked at the sordid scoundrel Who was tempting her in blank amazement But nobody knows where the daughter is, she objected You and I know that the daughter has a deformity In her left foot, Jervie replied And you and I know exactly in what part of the foot it is There is not only money to be made out of that knowledge But money made easily without the slightest risk Suppose I manage the matter by correspondence Without appearing in it personally Don't you think Mrs. Farneby would open her purse beforehand If I mentioned the exact position of that little deformity As a proof that I was to be depended on? Phoebe was unable or unwilling to draw the obvious conclusion even now But what would you do? She said when Mrs. Farneby insisted on seeing her daughter There was something in the girl's tone Half fearful, half suspicious Which warned Jervie that he was treading on dangerous ground He knew perfectly well what he proposed to do In the case that had been so plainly put him It was the simplest thing in the world He had only to make an appointment With Mrs. Farneby for a meeting on a future day And to take to flight in the interval Leaving a polite note behind him to say That it was all a mistake And that he regretted being too poor to return the money Having thus far acknowledged the design he had in view Could he still venture on answering his companion without reserve? Phoebe was vain Phoebe was vindictive And more promising still Phoebe was a fool But she was not yet capable of consenting to an act Of the vilest infamy in cold blood Jervie looked at her And saw that the foreseeing necessity for lying had come at last That's just the difficulty, he said That's just where I don't see my way plainly yet Can you advise me? Phoebe started and drew back from him I advise you, she exclaimed It frightens me to think of it If you make her believe she is going to see her daughter And if she finds out that you have robbed and deceived her I can tell you this With her furious temper You will drive her mad Jervie's reply was a model of well-acted indignation Don't talk of anything so horrible, he exclaimed If you believe me, capable of such cruelty as that Go to Mrs. Farnaby and warn her at once It's too bad to speak to me in that way Phoebe rejoined with the frank impetuosity of an offended woman You know I would die rather than get you into trouble Beg my pardon directly Or I won't walk another step with you Jervie made the necessary apologies with all possible humility He had gained his end He could now postpone any further discussion of the subject Without arousing Phoebe's distrust Let us say no more about it for the present He suggested we will think it over And talk of pleasanter things in the meantime Kiss me, my dear girl, there's nobody looking So he made peace with his sweetheart And secured to himself at the same time The full liberty of future action of which he stood in need If Phoebe asked any more questions The necessary answer was obvious to the meanest capacity He had merely to say The matter is beset with difficulties which I didn't see at first I have given it up Their nearest way back to Phoebe's lodgings took them through the street Which led to the Hampton Institution Passing along the opposite side of the road They saw the private door opened Two men stepped out A third man inside called after one of them Mr. Goldenheart, you have left the statement of receipts in the waiting room Never mind, Emilius answered, the night's receipts are so small That I would rather not be reminded of them again In my country, a third voice remarked If he had lectured as he has lectured tonight I reckon I'd have given him three hundred dollars Gold, sixty pounds English currency And have made my own profit by the transaction The British nation has lost its taste, sir For intellectual recreation I wish you good evening Jervie hurried Phoebe out of the way Just as the two gentlemen were crossing the street He had not forgotten events at Tadmore And he was by no means eager to renew His former acquaintance with Emilius End of book five Chapter five Book five, The Fatal Lecture Chapter six of The Fallen Leaves This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer Please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Rita Butros The Fallen Leaves by Wilkie Collins Book five, The Fatal Lecture Chapter six Rufus and his young friend walked together silently As far as a large square Here they stopped, having reached the point At which it was necessary to take Different directions on their way home I have a word of advice my son For your private ear, said the New Englander The barometer behind your waistcoat Points to a downhearted state Of the moral atmosphere Come along to home with me You want a whiskey cocktail badly No thank you my dear fellow Emilius answered a little sadly I own a downhearted as you say You see I expected this lecture To be a new opening for me Personally as you know I don't care too straws about money But my marriage depends on my adding to my income And the first attempt I've made to do it Has ended in a total failure I'm all abroad again When I look to the future And I'm afraid I'm full enough To let it weigh on my spirits No, the cocktail isn't the right remedy for me I don't get the exercise in fresh air Here that I used to get a tad more My head burns after all that talking tonight A good long walk will put me right And nothing else will Rufus at once offered to accompany him Emilius shook his head Did you ever walk a mile in your life When you could ride? He asked good humoredly I mean to be on my legs for four or five hours I should only have to send you home in a cab Thank you old fellow For the brotherly interest you take in me I'll breakfast with you tomorrow at your hotel Good night Some curious pre-vision of evil Seemed to trouble the mind of the good New Englander He held Emilius fast by the hand He said very earnestly It goes against the grit with me To see you wandering off by yourself at this time of night It does, I tell you Do me a favor for once My bright boy go right away to bed Emilius laughed and released his hand I shouldn't sleep if I did go to bed Breakfast tomorrow at ten o'clock Good night again He started on his walk at a pace Which set pursuit on the part of Rufus at defiance The American stood watching him Until he was lost to sight in the darkness What a grip that young fellow has got on me In no more than a few months, Rufus thought As he slowly turned away in the direction of his hotel Lord send the poor boy May keep clear of mischief this night Meanwhile, Emilius walked on swiftly Straight before him Careless in what direction he turned his steps So long as he felt the cool air and kept moving His thoughts were not at first occupied With the doubtful question of his marriage The lecture was still the uppermost subject in his mind He had reserved for the conclusion of his address The justification of his view of the future Afforded by the widespread and frightful poverty Among the millions of the population of London alone On this melancholy theme He had spoken with the eloquence of true feeling And had produced a strong impression Even on those members of the audience Who were most resolutely opposed To the opinions which he advocated Without any undue exercise of self-esteem He could look back on the close of his lecture With the conviction that he had really done justice To himself and to his cause The retrospect of the public discussion That had followed failed to give him the same pleasure His warm temper His vehemently sincere belief in the truth Of his own convictions placed him at a serious disadvantage Towards the more self-restrained speakers All older than himself Who rose one after another to combat his views More than once he had lost his temper And had been obliged to make his apologies More than once he had been indebted To the ready help of Rufus Who had taken part in the battle of words With the generous purpose of covering his retreat No, he thought to himself with bitter humility I am not fit for public discussions If they put me into Parliament tomorrow I should only get called to order and do nothing He reached the bank of the Thames At the eastward end of the Strand Walking straight on, as absently as ever He crossed Waterloo Bridge And followed the broad street That lay before him on the other side He was thinking of the future again Regina was in his mind now The one prospect that he could see Of a tranquil and happy life With duties as well as pleasures Duties that might rouse him to find the vocation For which he was fit Was the prospect of his marriage What was the obstacle that stood in his way The vile obstacle of money The contemptible spirit of ostentation Which forbade him to live humbly On his own sufficient little income And insisted that he should purchase domestic happiness At the price of the tawdry splendor Of a rich tradesman and his friends And Regina, who was free To follow her own better impulses Regina, whose heart acknowledged him As its master, bowed before the golden image Which was the tutelary deity of her uncle's household And said resignedly, Love must wait Still walking blindly on He was roused on a sudden To a sense of passing events Crossing a side street at the moment A man caught him roughly by the arm And saved him from being run over The man had a broom in his hand He was a crossing sweeper I think I've earned my penny, sir, he said Amelia's gave him half a crown The man shouldered his broom And tossed up the money in a transport of delight Here's something to go home with, he cried As he caught the half crown again Have you got a family at home, Amelia's asked Only one, sir, said the man The others are all dead She's as good a girl And as pretty a girl as ever put on a petticoat Though I say it that shouldn't Thank you kindly, sir, good night Amelia's looked after the poor fellow Happy at least for that night If I had only been lucky enough to fall in love With the crossing sweeper's daughter He thought bitterly She would have married me when I asked her He looked along the street It curved away in the distance With no visible limit to it Arrived at the next side street on his left Amelia's turned down it Weary of walking longer in the same direction Whether it might lead him He neither knew nor cared In his present humor It was a pleasurable sensation To feel himself lost in London The short street suddenly widened A blaze of flaring gaslight dazzled his eyes He heard all around him The shouting of innumerable voices For the first time since he had been in London He found himself in one of the street markets of the poor On either side of the road The barrows of the costar mongers The wandering tradesmen of the highway Were drawn up in rows And every man was advertising his wares By means of the cheap publicity of his own voice Fish and vegetables Pottery and writing paper Looking glasses Saucepans and colored prints All appealed together To the scantily filled purses of the crowds Who thronged the pavement One lusty vagabond stood up in a rickety donkey cart Knee deep in apples Selling a great wooden measure full for a penny And yelling louder than all the rest Never was such apple sold in the public streets before Sweet as flowers and sound as a bell Who says the poor ain't looked after? Cried the fellow with ferocious irony When they can have such applesauce as this To their loin of pork Here's knobby apples Here's a pen-orth for your money Sold again Hello you, you look hungry Catch There's an apple for nothing Just to taste Be in time Be in time before they're all sold Emilius moved forward a few steps And was half-deafened by rival butchers shouting Bye, bye, bye To audiences of ragged women Who fingered the meat doubtfully with longing eyes A little farther and there was a blind man Selling staleaces and singing a psalm And beyond him again a broken-down soldier playing God Save the Queen on a tin flageole The one silent person in this sordid carnival was Alaska Beggar With a printed placard round his neck Addressed to the charitable public He held a tallow candle to illuminate The copious narrative of his misfortunes And the one reader he obtained Was a fat man who scratched his head And remarked to Emilius that he didn't like foreigners Starving boys and girls lurked among the costar-monger's Barrows And begged piteously on pretense of selling Cigar lights and comic songs Furious women stood at the doors of public houses And railed on their drunken husbands For spending the house money in gin A thicker crowd towards the middle of the street Poured in and out at the door of a cook shop Here the people presented a less terrible spectacle They were even touching to see These were the patient poor Who bought hot morsels of sheep's heart and liver At a penny an ounce With lamentable little mouthfuls of peas, pudding, Greens and potatoes at a half penny each Pale children in corners Supped on penny basins of soup And looked with hungry admiration at their enviable neighbors Who could afford to buy stewed eels for two pence Everywhere there was the same noble resignation To their hard fate, in old and young alike No impatience, no complaints In this wretched place The language of true gratitude was still to be heard Thanking the good-natured cook For a little spoonful of gravy thrown in for nothing And here, humble mercy that had its one superfluous half-penny to spare Gave that half-penny to utter destitution And gave it with right goodwill Amelius spent all his shillings and six pences In doubling and trebling the poor little penny-worths of food And left the place with tears in his eyes He was near the end of the street by this time The sight of the misery about him And the sense of his own utter inability to remedy it Wade heavily on his spirits He thought of the peaceful and prosperous life at Tadmore Were his happy brethren of the community And these miserable people about him Creatures of the same all-merciful God The terrible doubts which come to all thinking men The doubts which are not to be stifled by crying Oh, Fi! in a pulpit rose darkly in his mind He quickened his pace Let me get out of it, he said to himself Let me get out of it End of Book 5, Chapter 6