What plan was to be taken we
cannot be sure, but your second visit to Dartmouth--a surprise
visit, remember--quickened it. You offered just the starting point;
and before you left on that rough, moonlight night, Pendean had
recreated the forgery of Robert Redmayne and appeared before you in
that character. And not content with this, he kept the part going
for all it was worth. As Robert Redmayne, he broke into Strete Farm
and was seen by Mr. Brook, the farmer; while as 'Doria,' next
morning, he comes to you at Dartmouth to tell you the murderer of
Michael Pendean has reappeared.
"One may easily imagine the joy that he took in this double
impersonation and how easy it was, with the help of his wife, to
fool you to the top of your bent. He had already derived the
exquisite entertainment of seeing you jealous of his attentions to
Jenny and suspicious that she was yielding to them; while she--well,
it is instructive to consider again her treatment of you. Yes, a
very great actress; but whether inspired by love for Pendean, or
hate for her unfortunate relatives, or just pure creative joy in her
own talent, who shall say? Probably all these emotions played their
part.
Pages:
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445