Dora. That poor girl. Something awful must have driven her to steal from us. Her crime was not deserving of such an end. Fate has meted out a harsh justice indeed.
19TH
O CTOBER 1916
As I sit with John, I see Mary staring anxiously as she goes about her work on the ward. I know what she is thinking. But Quincey behaves like a perfect gentleman and I like a proper lady. I see desire burning in his eyes, and I feel it inmy heart. I would not be so dishonest as to deny it. But my sweet Quincey restrains his ardour, and so do I. I only pray that he also dreams of marriage. Then we may at last be respectably united and give full rein to our passion.
When John is fully recovered, I know in my heart that Quincey will see to it. Then he and I will be united for all eternity.
C HAPTER 10
Report of Dr. McLeod, Purfleet Sanatorium
Patient John Shaw, Lieutenant, no. 467842
The patient has now been fully lucid for nearly a month. In my opinion he is now recovered enough both physically and mentally to complete his recuperation in his family home. Therefore I am discharging him.
DM, 20th October 1916
Journal of Mary Seward
20TH
O CTOBER 1916
Today John was released from the sanatorium to complete his convalescence at home. Lily came to collect him in their carriage.
“I shall miss talking with you every day,” I said as he climbed, a little shakily, into it. I forced myself to give him a cheerful smile, for though Lieutenant Shaw and I spoke of continuing our relationship, I had no idea how frequently he wished to see me.
“On the contrary,” he replied. “I will order our carriage to fetch you and take you home again each evening. Our conversations must not be interrupted.”
I smiled again—and this time it came naturally. “I would be delighted to visit you.”
John covered my hands with his own. “Dear Mary …” he murmured. “You must come as often as you can. You have been my strength these past few weeks.”
I was quite taken aback by the fondness that shone in his eyes. I leaned forward and kissed him gently on his cheek. I knew it must seem forward, yet my heart compelled me to such affection. “I will come tomorrow evening … John,” I promised.
He took my hand and kissed it. My heart fluttered like a bird caught in a net. “Until tomorrow,” he said. The driver cracked his whip, and John and Lily were off to their home.
As I watched the carriage recede, I smiled at the notion that I might, someday, be a part of their very household. Because of this, I must tell John that I have read his journal. There should be no secrets between us now. I pray it will not turn him away from me.
Journal of
Lieutenant John Shaw
21ST
O CTOBER 1916
Being home is a mixed blessing; I find myself in an ill temper.
Our newcomer, Quincey, seems utterly at home here. He moves around the place as if he has known it all his life. It is as if I am the houseguest and he the host. An easy familiarity has grown between him and Lily and even Antanasia, which, I must confess, makes me feel a little like a latecomer to a party.
Further, I have noticed certain intimacies between Lily and Harker that hint at their desire for a deeper relationship. Though I have no doubt that Harker has kept his word to me and treated Lily with nothing more than brotherly affection, I am troubled by this development. Perhaps I will seek Mary’s counsel about this when she visits the hall tonight.
Mary … perhaps my ill temper is as much to do with the fact that I am missing her, having grown used to her sweet presence close by me for most of the day.
L
ATER
Mary brightened the hall with her visit this evening. She came straight into the parlour, where I was resting on thesofa. As she took off her coat and gloves and whisked the hat from her head, I felt I was watching a flower blossoming, filling the room with its freshness.
“Did Lily not greet you when you arrived?” I asked, wondering where my sister was.
“No, Antanasia told me
19TH
O CTOBER 1916
As I sit with John, I see Mary staring anxiously as she goes about her work on the ward. I know what she is thinking. But Quincey behaves like a perfect gentleman and I like a proper lady. I see desire burning in his eyes, and I feel it inmy heart. I would not be so dishonest as to deny it. But my sweet Quincey restrains his ardour, and so do I. I only pray that he also dreams of marriage. Then we may at last be respectably united and give full rein to our passion.
When John is fully recovered, I know in my heart that Quincey will see to it. Then he and I will be united for all eternity.
C HAPTER 10
Report of Dr. McLeod, Purfleet Sanatorium
Patient John Shaw, Lieutenant, no. 467842
The patient has now been fully lucid for nearly a month. In my opinion he is now recovered enough both physically and mentally to complete his recuperation in his family home. Therefore I am discharging him.
DM, 20th October 1916
Journal of Mary Seward
20TH
O CTOBER 1916
Today John was released from the sanatorium to complete his convalescence at home. Lily came to collect him in their carriage.
“I shall miss talking with you every day,” I said as he climbed, a little shakily, into it. I forced myself to give him a cheerful smile, for though Lieutenant Shaw and I spoke of continuing our relationship, I had no idea how frequently he wished to see me.
“On the contrary,” he replied. “I will order our carriage to fetch you and take you home again each evening. Our conversations must not be interrupted.”
I smiled again—and this time it came naturally. “I would be delighted to visit you.”
John covered my hands with his own. “Dear Mary …” he murmured. “You must come as often as you can. You have been my strength these past few weeks.”
I was quite taken aback by the fondness that shone in his eyes. I leaned forward and kissed him gently on his cheek. I knew it must seem forward, yet my heart compelled me to such affection. “I will come tomorrow evening … John,” I promised.
He took my hand and kissed it. My heart fluttered like a bird caught in a net. “Until tomorrow,” he said. The driver cracked his whip, and John and Lily were off to their home.
As I watched the carriage recede, I smiled at the notion that I might, someday, be a part of their very household. Because of this, I must tell John that I have read his journal. There should be no secrets between us now. I pray it will not turn him away from me.
Journal of
Lieutenant John Shaw
21ST
O CTOBER 1916
Being home is a mixed blessing; I find myself in an ill temper.
Our newcomer, Quincey, seems utterly at home here. He moves around the place as if he has known it all his life. It is as if I am the houseguest and he the host. An easy familiarity has grown between him and Lily and even Antanasia, which, I must confess, makes me feel a little like a latecomer to a party.
Further, I have noticed certain intimacies between Lily and Harker that hint at their desire for a deeper relationship. Though I have no doubt that Harker has kept his word to me and treated Lily with nothing more than brotherly affection, I am troubled by this development. Perhaps I will seek Mary’s counsel about this when she visits the hall tonight.
Mary … perhaps my ill temper is as much to do with the fact that I am missing her, having grown used to her sweet presence close by me for most of the day.
L
ATER
Mary brightened the hall with her visit this evening. She came straight into the parlour, where I was resting on thesofa. As she took off her coat and gloves and whisked the hat from her head, I felt I was watching a flower blossoming, filling the room with its freshness.
“Did Lily not greet you when you arrived?” I asked, wondering where my sister was.
“No, Antanasia told me
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