the lifted veil(揭起的面纱)-第13节
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susceptible mind？ But the thought only flickered feebly now and then；
and died out before it could become a wish。 The horror I had of again
breaking in on the privacy of another soul； made me； by an irrational
instinct； draw the shroud of concealment more closely around my own； as
we automatically perform the gesture we feel to be wanting in another。
When Meunier's visit was approaching its conclusion； there happened
an event which caused some excitement in our household； owing to the
surprisingly strong effect it appeared to produce on Berthaon Bertha； the
self…possessed； who usually seemed inaccessible to feminine agitations；
and did even her hate in a self…restrained hygienic manner。 This event
was the sudden severe illness of her maid； Mrs。 Archer。 I have reserved
to this moment the mention of a circumstance which had forced itself on
my notice shortly before Meunier's arrival； namely； that there had been
some quarrel between Bertha and this maid； apparently during a visit to a
distant family； in which she had accompanied her mistress。 I had
overheard Archer speaking in a tone of bitter insolence； which I should
have thought an adequate reason for immediate dismissal。 No dismissal
followed； on the contrary； Bertha seemed to be silently putting up with
personal inconveniences from the exhibitions of this woman's temper。 I
was the more astonished to observe that her illness seemed a cause of
strong solicitude to Bertha； that she was at the bedside night and day； and
would allow no one else to officiate as head…nurse。 It happened that our
family doctor was out on a holiday； an accident which made Meunier's
presence in the house doubly welcome； and he apparently entered into the
case with an interest which seemed so much stronger than the ordinary
professional feeling； that one day when he had fallen into a long fit of
silence after visiting her； I said to him …
〃Is this a very peculiar case of disease； Meunier？〃
〃No；〃 he answered； 〃it is an attack of peritonitis； which will be fatal；
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but which does not differ physically from many other cases that have
come under my observation。 But I'll tell you what I have on my mind。
I want to make an experiment on this woman； if you will give me
permission。 It can do her no harmwill give her no painfor I shall not
make it until life is extinct to all purposes of sensation。 I want to try the
effect of transfusing blood into her arteries after the heart has ceased to
beat for some minutes。 I have tried the experiment again and again with
animals that have died of this disease； with astounding results； and I want
to try it on a human subject。 I have the small tubes necessary； in a case I
have with me； and the rest of the apparatus could be prepared readily。 I
should use my own bloodtake it from my own arm。 This woman won't
live through the night； I'm convinced； and I want you to promise me your
assistance in making the experiment。 I can't do without another hand； but
it would perhaps not be well to call in a medical assistant from among
your provincial doctors。 A disagreeable foolish version of the thing
might get abroad。〃
〃Have you spoken to my wife on the subject？〃 I said； 〃because she
appears to be peculiarly sensitive about this woman： she has been a
favourite maid。〃
〃To tell you the truth；〃 said Meunier； 〃I don't want her to know about it。
There are always insuperable difficulties with women in these matters； and
the effect on the supposed dead body may be startling。 You and I will sit
up together； and be in readiness。 When certain symptoms appear I shall
take you in； and at the right moment we must manage to get every one else
out of the room。〃
I need not give our farther conversation on the subject。 He entered
very fully into the details； and overcame my repulsion from them； by
exciting in me a mingled awe and curiosity concerning the possible results
of his experiment。
We prepared everything； and he instructed me in my part as assistant。
He had not told Bertha of his absolute conviction that Archer would not
survive through the night； and endeavoured to persuade her to leave the
patient and take a night's rest。 But she was obstinate； suspecting the fact
that death was at hand； and supposing that he wished merely to save her
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nerves。 She refused to leave the sick…room。 Meunier and I sat up
together in the library； he making frequent visits to the sick…room； and
returning with the information that the case was taking precisely the
course he expected。 Once he said to me； 〃Can you imagine any cause of
ill… feeling this woman has against her mistress； who is so devoted to her？〃
〃I think there was some misunderstanding between them before her
illness。 Why do you ask？〃
〃Because I have observed for the last five or six hourssince； I fancy；
she has lost all hope of recoverythere seems a strange prompting in her
to say something which pain and failing strength forbid her to utter； and
there is a look of hideous meaning in her eyes； which she turns continually
towards her mistress。 In this disease the mind often remains singularly
clear to the last。〃
〃I am not surprised at an indication of malevolent feeling in her；〃 I
said。 〃She is a woman who has always inspired me with distrust and
dislike； but she managed to insinuate herself into her mistress's favour。〃
He was silent after this； looking at the fire with an air of absorption； till he
went upstairs again。 He stayed away longer than usual； and on returning；
said to me quietly； 〃Come now。〃
I followed him to the chamber where death was hovering。 The dark
hangings of the large bed made a background that gave a strong relief to
Bertha's pale face as I entered。 She started forward as she saw me enter；
and then looked at Meunier with an expression of angry inquiry； but he
lifted up his hand as it to impose silence； while he fixed his glance on the
dying woman and felt her pulse。 The face was pinched and ghastly； a cold
perspiration was on the forehead； and the eyelids were lowered so as to
conceal the large dark eyes。 After a minute or two； Meunier walked
round to the other side of the bed where Bertha stood； and with his usual
air of gentle politeness towards her begged her to leave the patient under
our careeverything should be done for hershe was no longer in a state
to be conscious of an affectionate presence。 Bertha was hesitating；
apparently almost willing to believe his assurance and to comply。 She
looked round at the ghastly dying face； as if to read the confirmation of
that assurance； when for a moment the lowered eyelids were raised again；
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and it seemed as if the eyes were looking towards Bertha； but blankly。 A
shudder passed through Bertha's frame； and she returned to her station
near the pillow； tacitly implying that she would not leave the room。
The eyelids were lifted no more。 Once I looked at Bertha as she
watched the face of the dying one。 She wore a rich peignoir； and her
blond hair was half covered by a lace cap： in her attire she was； as
always； an elegant woman； fit to figure in a picture of modern aristocratic
life： but I asked myself how that face of hers could ever have seemed to
me the face of a woman born of woman； with memories of childhood；
capable
