Farewell Nikola: Chapter 08

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Chapter eight of Farewell Nicola by Guy Boothby this LibriVox
recording is in the public domain. Chapter eight. Before Glen
Martha and I parted on the terrible evening described in
the previous chapter, it made a contract with each other
to say nothing about what we had seen to the ladies.

(00:23):
For this reason, when my wife endeavored to interrogate me
concerning our entertainment, I furnished her with an elaborate description
of the dinner itself, spoke of the marvelous cooking, and
I hope gave her a fairly accurate account of the menu,
or rather so much of it as I could remember.
I suppose I must confess to defeat. Then, she said,

(00:44):
when I had exhausted my powers of narration, I'd settled
the conviction that something out of the common would have occurred.
You seemed simply to have had a good dinner, to
have smoked some excellent cigars, and the rest have been
abounded merely by the commonplace. For once, I fear Dr
Nickoler has not acted up to his reputation. If she

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had known the truth, I wonder what she would have said.
Long after she had bade me good night, I lay awake,
ruminating on the different events of the evening. The memory
of what I had seen in that awful room was
still as fresh with me as if I were still
watching it. And yet I asked myself, why should I
worry so much about it? Nichola had willed that his

(01:25):
audience should see certain things we had done, so it
was no more concern with the supernatural than I was myself.
Any man who had the power could have impressed us
in the same way. But though I told myself all this,
I must confess that I was, by no means convinced.
I knew in my heart that the whole thing had
been too real to be merely a matter of mate. Believe,

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no human brain could have invented the ghastly horrors of
that room in such complete detail, even to think of
it now as to bring the scene almost too vividly
before me. And when I lay awake at night, I
seemed to hear the shrieks of the wretched woman and
the moans of the man perishing in the vaults below.
On my retiring to rest, my wife Will informed me

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that she fancied Miss Trevor had been slightly better that evening.
She had slept peaceay for upwards of an hour, and
seemed to be much refreshed by it. Her maid is
going to spend the night in her room, said Phyllis.
I've told her that if she sees any change in
Gertrude's condition, she is to let me know at once.
I do hope that she may be herself again tomorrow. This, however,

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was unhappily not destined to be the case, for a
little before three o'clock there was a tapping upon our
bedroom door. Guessing who it would be, my wife went
to it, and, having opened it a little, was informed
that Miss Trevor was worse. I must go to her
at once, said Phyllis, and, having clothed herself warmly for
the night was cold, she departed to our guest room.

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I'm really afraid there is something very serious the matter
with her, she said, when she returned after about quarter
of an hour's absence. She is in a high state
of fever and is inclined to be delirious. You think
we'd better send for the doctor. I will have a
messenger dispatched him at once, if you think it necessary,
I returned, poor girl, I wonder what on earth it
can be. Perhaps the doctor was about to tell us. Now,

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said my wife, the symptoms are more fully developed, and
he should be surely able to make his diagnosis. And
I must not stay here talk, and I must go
back to her. When she had departed, I dressed myself
and went down to the hall in search of the
light watchman. He undertook to find a messenger to go
and fetch the doctor, and when I had seen him,

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dispatched on his errand I returned to the drawing room
and switched on the electric light and tried to interest
myself in a book until the medico should arrive. I
was not very successful, however, or interesting, though I was
given to understand the book was, I found my thoughts continually,
leaving it and returning to the house in the Rio
del Conceiglio. I wondered what Nichola was doing at that moment,

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and I fancied I could picture him still at work
late though the hour. Was at last, Tiring of the
book and wanting something else to occupy my thoughts, I
went to the window and drew back the shutters. It
was a beautiful morning, and the myriad stars overhead were
reflected in the black waters of the canal, like lamps
of a large town. Not a sound was to be heard.

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It might have been a city of the dead, so
still was it. As I stood looking across the water,
I thought of the city's past history, of an ancient grandeur,
of her wondrous art, and of the great men who
had been her children. There was a tremendous lesson to
be learnt from her fall, if one could only master it.

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I was interrupted in my reverie by the entrance of
the doctor, whom I had told the night watchman to
conduct my presence immediately upon his arrival. I am sorry
to bring you out this time of night, doctor, I said,
but the fact is, Miss Trevor is much worse. My
wife spent the greater part of the evening with her,
and informed me on my return from her dinner that

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she was better. Three quarters of an hour ago, however,
her maid, who had been sleeping in her room, came
to us with the news that a change for the
worst had set in. This being the case, I thought
i'd better send for you at once. You did quite right,
my dear sir, Quite right, the medico replied. There is
nothing like promptness in these matters. Perhaps i'd better see
her without further delay. With that, I conducted into the

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door of miss trevis room. He knocked upon it, was
admitted by my wife, and then disappeared from my gaze.
Something like half an hour or lapsed before he returned
to me in the drawing room. When he did so,
his face looked grave and troubled. What do you think
of her condition now, doctor, I asked. She is certainly
in a state of high fever. He answered, her pulse

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is very high. She is inclined to be delirious. At
the same time, I'm bound to confess to you that
I might lost. I understand the reason of it. The
case puzzled me considerably, yes, today, but I am even
more puzzled by it now. There are various symptoms that
I can either account for nor explain. One thing, however,
is quite certain. The young lady must have attrained nurse,

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and with your permission, I shall see that one comes
in after breakfast. Lady Hatteras is not strong enough for
the task. I am quite with you there, I answered,
And I am vastly obliged to you for putting your
foot down. At the same time, will you tell me
whether you deem it necessary for me to summon her
father from England. So far as I can see at present,

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I do not think there's any immediate need, he replied.
Should I say any reason for so doing, I would
at once tell you I've given a prescription to Lady
Hatteras and furnished her with the name of a reliable chemist.
I shall return between nine and ten o'clock. I shall
hope to have better news for you then, I sincerely
trust you, Mayoma said, And as you may suppose, her

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illness has been a great shock to us. I then
escorted him downstairs, and afterwards returned in my bedroom. The
news which he had given me of Miss Trevor's condition
was most distressing and made me feel more anxious than
I cared to admit. At seven o'clock I saw my
wife for a few minutes, but as before, she had
no good news to give me. She's quite delirious now,

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she said, talks continually of some great trouble which she
fears is going to perform. Her implause me to help
her to escape from him, but will not say definitely
what it is. It goes to my heart to hear
her and to know that I cannot comfort her. You
must be careful what you are doing, I replied. The
doctor has promised to bring a trained nurse with him

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after breakfast, who will relieve you of the responsibility. And
it is in a way encouraging to know that so
far he does not think there is any necessity for
such an extreme step. In the meantime, however, I think
I will write to the Dean and tell him how
matters stand. It will prepare him, but I'm afraid it
will give the poor old gentleman a sad flight, not

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give him a greater fight than it has done us,
said Phyllis. I do not know why I should do so,
but I cannot help thinking that I am to blame
in some way. What nonsense, my dear girl, I replied,
I'm sure you have nothing whatsoever to reproach yourself with.
Far from it. You must not worry yourself about it,
or we should be having you upon our hands before long.

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You must remember that you eye yourself far from strong. Now.
I am quite myself again, now, she answered. It is
only on account of your anxiety that I treat myself
as an invalid. Then she added, I wonder what the
Duke will say when he hears the news, he was
very nearly off his head yesterday, I answered, he will
be neither to hold or to bind to day. She

(08:43):
was silent for a few moments, then she said, thoughtfully,
do you know, Dick, It may seem strange to you,
but I do not mind saying that I attribute all
this trouble to Nicola. Good gracious, I cried, in well
simulated amazement, Why on earth to Niccola, Because as was
the case five years ago, it has been all trouble

(09:03):
since we met him. You remember how he affected Gertrude
at the onset. She was far from being herself on
the night of our tour through the city, and now,
in her delirium she talks continually of this dreadful house,
and for what she says and the way she behaves,
I cannot help feene inclined to believe that she imagines
herself to be seeing some of the dreadful events which

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have occurred or occurring in it. God help her, I
said to myself, and then I continued aloud to my wife.
Doubtless that nicholas extraordinary personality is affected in him in
some measure, as it does other people. But you are
surely not going to jump to the conclusion that because
she has spoken to him, he is necessarily responsible for
her illness. That would be the wildest flight of fancy.

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And yet, do you know, she continued, I've made a
curious discovery. What is that? I asked, not without some asperity,
or having so much on my mind. I was not
in the humor for fee fresh discoveries. She paused for
a moment before she replied, doubtless she expected that I
would perceive it with skepticism, if not with laughter and phyllis.

(10:10):
Ever since I have known her as a distinct fear
of ridicule. You may laugh at me if you please,
she said. Yet the coincidence is too extraordinary to be
left unnoticed. Did you happen to be aware, Dick, that
doctor Nicolay called at this hotel at exactly eleven o'clock?
I almost betrayed myself in surprise. This was the last
question I expected her to put to me. Yes, I answered,

(10:33):
with an endeavor to appear calm. I do happen to
be aware of that fact? He merely paid a visit
of courtesy to the don prior to the others. Accepting
his hospitality. I see nothing remarkable in that I did
the same myself, if you remember, of course, I know
that she replied, there is more to come. I are
aware that it was at the very moment of his

(10:54):
arrival in the house Gertrude was taken ill. What do
you think of that? She put this question to me
with an air of triumph, as if it were one
that no argument on my part would refute. At any rate,
I did not attempt the task. I think nothing of it,
I replied you, Ray, remember that you once fell down
in a dead fate within a few minutes of the

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Vicar's arrival at our house at home? Would you therefore
have me suppose that it was on account of his
arrival that you will taken ill? Why should you attribute
Miss Trevor's illness to Nicholas courtesy to our friend the
darn I beg that you will not call him our friend,
said Fittis, with considerable dignity. I do not like the man,
but did not tell her that the Duke was equally

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outspoken concerning our companion. I could see that they would
put their heads together, and that trouble would be the
inevitable result. Like a wise husband, I held my peace,
knowing that whatever I might say would not better the situation.
Half an hour later, it is my unhappy lot to
have to inform Glen Barth of Miss Trevor's condition. Told

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you yesterday that there was a matter not to be
trifled with. He said, as if I were personally responsible
for her grave condition. The doctor evidently doesn't understand the case,
and what you ought to do, if you have any
regard for her life, is to send a telegram at
once to London, ordering competent advice. The Dean of Bedminster
had a salary of eight hundred pounds Perranham. I answered, quietly,

(12:21):
such a man as you would want me to send
for will require a fee of some hundreds of guineas
to make such a journey, and you would allow her
to die for the sake of a few poultry pounds.
He cried, Good heavens, Dick, I never thought you were
a money grabber. I am glad that you did not,
I answered, it is of her father that I am thinking. Besides,
I do not know that the doctor here is as

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ignorant as you say. He has a most complicated and
unusual case to deal with and I honor him for
admitting the fact that he does not understand it. Many
men in his profession would have thrown dust in her
eyes and pretended to have a perfect knowledge of the case.
The young man did not see it in the light
that I I did, and was plainly of the opinion
that we were not doing what we might for the

(13:03):
woman he loved. My wife, however, took him in hand
after breakfast and talked quietly but firmly to him. She
succeeded where I had failed. When I returned from an
excursion to the chemist, where I had the prescriptions made up,
I found him in a tolerably reasonable frame of mind.
A quarter to turn. The doctor put in an appearance
once more, after a careful inspection of his patient, informed

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me that it was his opinion that a consultant should
be called him. This was done, and to our dismay,
the result came no nearer elucidating the mystery than before.
The case was such a one as had never entered
into the experience of either man. To all intents and purposes,
there was nothing that would in any way account for
the patient's condition. The fever had left her, and she

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complained of no pain, while her mind, save for the
occasional relapses, was clear enough. There was certainly was not
a case of paralysis. Yet she was in cape of
moving or doing anything to help herself. The duration of
her illness was sufficient to justify her extreme weakness, nor
to account for the presence of certain other symptoms. There

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was nothing for it, therefore, but for us to possess
our souls in patience and to wait the turn of events.
When the doctors had departed, I went in search of
Glen Barth and gave him their report. The poor fellow
was far from being consoled by it. He had hope
to receive good news, and their inability to give a

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satisfactory decision only confirmed his belief in their incompetency. Had
I permitted him to do so, he would have telegraphed
at once for the best medical advice in Europe, and
would have expended half his own princely revenues in an
attempt to make her herself once more. It was difficult
to convince him that he had not the right to

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heap liabilities on the old gentleman's shoulders, which, in honor
bound he would feel must repay I will not bore
my readers with the abusive arguments against society and social
etiquette with which he favored me in reply to my speech.
The poor fellow was beside himself with anxiety, and it
was difficult to make him understand that because he had

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not placed a narrow band of gold upon a certain
pretty finger, he was debarred from saving the life of
the owner of that self same finger. Towards nightfall, it
was certain that Miss Trevor's condition was gradually going from
bad to worse. With the closing of the day, the
delirium had returned, and the fever had also come with it.

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We spent a wretchedly anxious night, and in the morning,
at the conclusion of his first visit, the doctor informed
me that, in his opinion, it would be advisable that
I should telegraph to the young lady's father. This was
an extreme step, and needless to say, it caused me
great alarm. It was also sudden that it was scarcely

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possible to realize the extent of the calamity. Only two
days before, Miss Trevor had been as well as any
of us, and certainly in stronger health than my wife.
Now she was lying, if not at death's door, at
least no great distance from that grim portal. Immediately this
sad intelligence was made known to me, I hastened to

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the telegraph office and despatched a message to the Dean,
asking him to come with us at all's possible speed
for for luncheon. I received a reply to the effect
that he already started, and then we set ourselves down
to wait and to watch he, being almost against hope
that this beautiful, happy young life might be spared to us.

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All this time is in nothing of the don or
of Nicola. The former, however, had heard of Miss Trevor's illness,
had sent polite messages as to her condition. I did
not tell glen Barth of this, for the young man
had sufficient to think of just then, without my adding
to his worries. I must pass on now to describe

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to you the arrival of the Dean of Bedminster in Venice.
Feeling that he would be anxious to question me concerning
his daughter's condition, I made a point of going to
meet him alone. Needless to say, he was much agitated
on seeing me, and implored me to give him the
latest bulletin God's will be done he said quietly, when
he had heard all I had to tell him. I

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did not receive your letter, he remarked, as we made
our way from the station in the direction of Gallaghati's hotel,
so that you will understand that I know nothing of
the nature of poor girl two silverness. What does the
doctor say is the matter with her? I then informed
him of how the case stood, and of the uncertaint
he felt by the two members of the medical profession
I had called in. Surely that is very singular, is

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it not, he asked when I had finished. There are
not many diseases left that they are unable to diagnose.
In this case, however, I fear they are at a
loss to name it. I said, however, you will be
able very soon to see it for yourself and to
draw your own conclusions. The meeting between the worthy old
gentleman and his daughter was on his side affecting in
the dream. She did not recognize him, nor did she

(18:08):
know my wife. When he joined me in the drawing
room a quarter of an hour or so later, his
grief was pitiful to witness. While we were talking, Glen
Barth ended and I introduced them to each other. The
dean knew nothing of the latter's infatuation for his daughter,
but I fancy after a time he must have guessed
that there was something in the wind and the other's

(18:30):
extraordinary sympathy with him in his trial. As it happened,
the old gentleman in law arrived any too soon. That afternoon,
Miss Trevor was decidedly worse, and the medical men expressed
their gravest fears for her safety. All that day and
the next we waited in suspense, but there was no
material change. Nature was fighting her battle stubbornly. Inch by inch.

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The girl did not seem any worse, nor were there
any visible improvement on the doctor advice. A third physician
was called in, but with no greater success than before then,
one never to be forgotten. Afternoon, the first doctor took
me to one side. I informed me that, in his
opinion than those of his colleagues, it would not be
wise to cherish any further hopes. The patient was undeniably

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weaker and was growing more so every hour. With a
heart surcharged with sorrow, I went to the Dean's room
and broke the news to him. The poor man held
me out in silence, and then walked to the window
and looked down upon the grand canal. After a while,
he turned and, coming back to me once more, laid
his hand upon my arm. If it is the Lord's

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will that I lose her, what can I do but submit?
He said? When shall I be allowed to see her?
I'll make inquiries answer, and hastened away in search of
the doctor. As I passed along the passage, I met Callaghatty.
The little man had been deeply grieved to hear the
sad intelligence, and hastened in searching me at once, My Lord,
he said, for do what I would, I could never

(20:03):
cure him of the habit. Believe me, it is not
so hopeless, though they say so. You will, but listen
to me. There is doctor Nicckoly, your friend. He could
cure her if you went to him. Did he not
cure my child? I gave a start of surprise. I
will confess that the idea had occurred to me, but
I had never given the probability of putting it into

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execution of thought. Why should it not be done? Galaghatty
yet reminded me how Nickoor had cured his child. When
she laid the point of death, and the other doctors
of Venice had given her up. He was so enthusiastic
in his praises of the doctor, and I felt almost
inclined to risk it. When I reached the drawing room,
Glenbarth hastened towards me. What news, he inquired, his anxiety

(20:48):
showing itself plainly upon his face. I shook my head.
For God's sake, don't trifle with me, he cried. You
can have no idea what I am suffering. Feeling that
it would be better if I told him every thing.
I made a clean breast of it. He heard me
out before he spoke. She must not die, he said,
with a fierceness of despair. If there is any power

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on earth that can be invoked, he should be brought
to bear. Can he not think of anything? Try? Remember
that every second is of importance. Will it be safe
to try nicola I inquired, looking at him steadfastly in
the face. Galaghatty is wild for me to do so.
In spite of his dislike to Niccola, glen Barth jumped
at the suggestion. As a drowning man clutches at a

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straw and find him at once. He cried, seizing me
by the arm. If any one can savor he is
the man, Let's go to him without a moment's delay. No, No,
I answered, that will never do. Even in a case
of such gravity. The proprieties must be observed. I must
consult the doctors before calling in another. I regret very

(21:53):
much to say that here the Duke made use of
some language that was neither parliamentary nor courteous. To those
amiable gentlemen, I sought them out and placed the matter
before them, the idea of calling in a fourth consultant.
They had not the least objection, though they were all
of the opinion it could do no good. When, however,
I mentioned the fact that this consultant's name was Niccola,

(22:15):
I could plainly see that a storm was rising. Gentlemen,
I said, you must forgive me if I speak plainly
to the point you have given us to understand that
your patient's case is hopeless. Now I have had considerable
experience of doctor Nicholas's skill, and I feel that we
should not be justified him with holding him from our council.

(22:35):
If he will consent to be called in, I have
no desire to act contrary to medical etiquette, but we
must remember that the patient's life comes before aught else.
One doctor looked at the other, and all shook their heads.
I fear said the tallest of them, who invariably acted
as spokesman, And if the services of the gentlemen in
question are called in, it will be necessary for my

(22:57):
colleagues and myself to abandon our interest in the case.
I do, not, of course, know how far your knowledge extends.
I hope you will allow me to say, sir, that
the most curious stories are circulated, both as in behavior
and attainments of this doctor Niccoler, and we knew it
to be true. His words nettled me. Yet I had

(23:18):
such a deeply rooted belief in Niccola. Although they were
determined to give up the case, though I felt we
should be equally, if not more powerful without them. I
sincerely hope Jackman I said that you will not do
as you propose. Nevertheless, I feel that I should not
be myself acting rightly if I were to allow your
professional prejudices to stand in the way of my friend's recovery.

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In that case, I feel there is nothing left to
us but to most reluctantly withdrawal, said one of the men.
You are determined, quite determined, they replied together. Then the
tallest added, we much regret it, but our decision is irrevocable.
Ten minutes later they had left the hotel in a huff,
and I found myself seated upon the hall ones of
a serious dilemma. What would my position be if Nicholas's

(24:04):
presence should exercise a bad effect upon the patient, or
if he should decline to render as his assistants. In
that case, I should have offended the best doctors in Venice,
and should, in all probability have killed her. It was
a nice position to be placed in. One thing, however,
was as certain as anything could be, and that was
the fact that there was no time to lose. My

(24:26):
wife was seriously alarmed when I informed of my decision,
but both Glenbarth and I felt that we were acting
for the best, and the Dean sided with us. Since
you deem it necessary to go in search of doctor Nichola,
at once, said my wife, when the latter had left us,
implore him to come without delay in another hour. It
may be too late that in a heart broke and whisper.

(24:48):
She added, She's growing weaker every moment or Dick, Heaven
grant that we are not acting wrongly, and he may
be able to save her. I feel convinced that we're
doing right, I answered, and now I will go in
search of Nicola, and if possible, bring him back with me.
God grant that you may be successful in your search,
said Glen barthring in my hand. If Nichola saves her,

(25:08):
I will do anything he may ask, and still be
grateful to him all the days of my life. Then
I set off upon my errand end of chapter eight