One of Our Conquerors - World eBook Library

CHAPTER XIV
DISCLOSES A STAGE ON THE DRIVE TO
PARIS
A FORTNIGHT LATER, an extremely disconcerting circumstance
occurred: Armandine was ten minutes behind the hour with
her dinner. But the surprise and stupefaction expressed by
Victor, after glances at his watch, were not so profound as
Fenellan’s, on finding himself exchangeing the bow with a
gentleman bearing the name of Dr. Themison. His friend’s
rapidity in pushing the combinations he conceived, was
known: Fenellan’s wonder was not so much that Victor had
astonished him again, as that he should be called upon again
to wonder at his astonishment. He did; and he observed the
doctor and Victor and Nataly: aided by dropping remarks.
Before the evening was over, he gathered enough of the facts,
and had to speculate only on the designs. Dr. Themison had
received a visit from the husband of Mrs. Victor Radnor concerning
her state of health. At an interview with the lady,
laughter greeted him; he was confused by her denial of the
George Meredith
imputation of a single ailment: but she, to recompose him,
let it be understood, that she was anxious about her husband’s
condition, he being certainly overworked; and the husband’s
visit passed for a device on the part of the wife. She admitted
a willingness to try a change of air, if it was deemed good for
her husband. Change of air was prescribed to each for both.
‘Why not drive to Paris?’ the doctor said, and Victor was
taken with the phrase.
He told Fenellan at night that Mrs. Burman, he had heard,
was by the sea, on the South coast. Which of her maladies
might be in the ascendant, he did not know. He knew little.
He fancied that Dr. Themison was unsuspicious of the existence
of a relationship between him and Mrs. Burman: and
Fenellan opined, that there had been no communication
upon private affairs. What, then, was the object in going to
Dr. Themison? He treated her body merely; whereas the Rev.
Groseman Buttermore could be expected to impose upon
her conduct. Fenellan appreciated his own discernment of
the superior uses to which a spiritual adviser may be put,
and he too agreeably flattered himself for the corrective reflection
to ensue, that he had not done anything. It disposed
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