The Gentleman Who Vanished: A Psychological Phantasy — David Hume — John Shaqi
The Gentleman Who Vanished: A Psychological Phantasy
David Hume · en
". . . . I have tried again and failed, her material part is stronger
than her spiritual one, and she has set her heart upon marriage with
Adrian Lancaster, so there is nothing left for me to do, but to retire
peacefully from the field . . . . I should like to teach her a lesson,
and show her what she has lost in refusing to marry me . . . well,
time will show, and I may some day, have an opportunity of doing
so . . . ."
There were several other entries about Olive and himself, but Adrian
had read enough, and closing the book with a frown, locked it up again
in the desk. It was clear Dr. Roversmire had not held a very good
opinion of him, and Adrian could not help acknowledging to himself
that the view taken by the savant was a correct one. He had brains in
plenty, but had never exercised them--never mind, there was yet time.
The experiences he had undergone, while in the body of Roversmire, had
not been without a salutary effect, and he would benefit by them, when
he returned to his own body. But when would he return? Ah! that was
the question; at all events, he would go down to Olive Maunders, and
find out from her demeanour towards him, if she really was true to
Adrian Lancaster, or if her ambition had caused her to look kindly upon
Michael Roversmire. The entries in the book were plain enough--she did
not love anyone else but himself, still the demon of jealousy was
gnawing at Adrian's heart, and only a personal interview could
satisfy him on the subject.
He rang the bell, and Dentham appeared with such rapidity that Adrian
felt convinced he had not been far away. However, listen as he might,
he could not learn anything likely to endanger the safety of Dr.
Roversmire, so Adrian asked at once for what he wanted.
"Have you a Bradshaw?"
"Yes, sir," replied Dentham, and thereupon vanished, quickly returning
with the book in question.
Adrian took it, and Dentham was about to retire when his master called
him back.
"Wait a moment, I may want you," he said, without raising his eyes
from the Guide, whereupon Dentham wondered greatly what could have
occurred to alter so suddenly the general habits of the old doctor.
Adrian soon found out that there was a train late in the afternoon to
Great Marlow, and laying down the book open on the table, rose to his
feet.
"I am going to my room, Dentham," he said abruptly. "You can come in
shortly to pack my portmanteau--I shall be going away for a few days."
"Going away," echoed Dentham when the door had closed on the tall
figure of his master. "Where to, I wonder; there's something queer
about this--why, he's hardly been out of the house for the last six
months, and now he makes up his mind to be off in half a minute. I'll
have a look at this and find out where he's going to."
The Bradshaw was lying on the table, still open at the place to which
Adrian had referred, so Dentham had no difficulty in discovering that
Dr. Roversmire was going to Great Marlow, in the county of Bucks.