That same evening another visitor came. It was a pale, slender girl,
who gave her name as Lucy Ford. She said that she had been sent by
Captain Dudleigh. She heard that Edith had no maid, and wished to get
that situation. Edith hesitated for a moment. Could she accept so
direct a favor from Dudleigh, or give him that mark of confidence? Her
hesitation was over at once. She could give him that, and she accepted
the maid. The next day came a housekeeper and two or three others, all
sent by Dudleigh, all of whom were accepted by her. For Dudleigh had
found out somehow the need of servants at Dalton Hall, and had taken
this way of supplying that prime requisite.
It then remained to move Dalton. He still continued in the same
condition, not much changed physically, but in a state of mental torpor,
the duration of which no one was able to foretell. Two short stages were
required to take him to Dalton Hall. For this a litter was procured, and
he was carried all the way. Edith went, with her maid and housekeeper,
in a carriage, Dudleigh on horseback, and the other servants, with the
luggage, in various conveyances.
Dalton received no benefit from his journey, but his friends were happy
enough that he had received no injury. The medical attendance at Dalton
Hall was, as before, the best that could be obtained, and all the care
that affection could suggest was lavished upon him.
From what has already been said, it will be seen that in making this
migration to Dalton Hall, Dudleigh was regardful of many things besides
the patient. He had made every arrangement for the comfort of the
occupants. He had sought out all the domestics that were necessary to
diffuse an air of home over such a large establishment, and had been
careful to submit them to Edith for her approval. He had also procured
horses and grooms and carriages, and every thing that might conduce to
the comfort of life. The old solitude and loneliness were thus
terminated. The new housekeeper prevented Edith from feeling any anxiety
about domestic concerns, and the servants all showed themselves well
trained and perfectly subordinate.
Dalton's room was at the west end of the building. Edith occupied her
old apartments. Dudleigh took that which had belonged to his “double.”
The housekeeper took the room that had been occupied by Lady Dudleigh.