The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Page 3

  DR. JEKYLL WAS QUITE AT EASE

  A fortnight later, by excellent good fortune, the doctor gave one ofhis pleasant dinners to some five or six old cronies, all intelligent,reputable men and all judges of good wine; and Mr. Utterson so contrivedthat he remained behind after the others had departed. This was no newarrangement, but a thing that had befallen many scores of times. WhereUtterson was liked, he was liked well. Hosts loved to detain the drylawyer, when the light-hearted and loose-tongued had already their footon the threshold; they liked to sit a while in his unobtrusive company,practising for solitude, sobering their minds in the man's rich silenceafter the expense and strain of gaiety. To this rule, Dr. Jekyll was noexception; and as he now sat on the opposite side of the fire--a large,well-made, smooth-faced man of fifty, with something of a stylish castperhaps, but every mark of capacity and kindness--you could see by hislooks that he cherished for Mr. Utterson a sincere and warm affection.

  "I have been wanting to speak to you, Jekyll," began the latter. "Youknow that will of yours?"

  A close observer might have gathered that the topic was distasteful; butthe doctor carried it off gaily. "My poor Utterson," said he, "you areunfortunate in such a client. I never saw a man so distressed as youwere by my will; unless it were that hide-bound pedant, Lanyon, at whathe called my scientific heresies. O, I know he's a good fellow--youneedn't frown--an excellent fellow, and I always mean to see more ofhim; but a hide-bound pedant for all that; an ignorant, blatant pedant.I was never more disappointed in any man than Lanyon."

  "You know I never approved of it," pursued Utterson, ruthlesslydisregarding the fresh topic.

  "My will? Yes, certainly, I know that," said the doctor, a triflesharply. "You have told me so."

  "Well, I tell you so again," continued the lawyer. "I have been learningsomething of young Hyde."

  The large handsome face of Dr. Jekyll grew pale to the very lips, andthere came a blackness about his eyes. "I do not care to hear more,"said he. "This is a matter I thought we had agreed to drop."

  "What I heard was abominable," said Utterson.

  "It can make no change. You do not understand my position," returned thedoctor, with a certain incoherency of manner. "I am painfully situated,Utterson; my position is a very strange--a very strange one. It is oneof those affairs that cannot be mended by talking."

  "Jekyll," said Utterson, "you know me: I am a man to be trusted. Makea clean breast of this in confidence; and I make no doubt I can get youout of it."

  "My good Utterson," said the doctor, "this is very good of you, thisis downright good of you, and I cannot find words to thank you in. Ibelieve you fully; I would trust you before any man alive, ay, beforemyself, if I could make the choice; but indeed it isn't what you fancy;it is not as bad as that; and just to put your good heart at rest, Iwill tell you one thing: the moment I choose, I can be rid of Mr. Hyde.I give you my hand upon that; and I thank you again and again; and Iwill just add one little word, Utterson, that I'm sure you'll take ingood part: this is a private matter, and I beg of you to let it sleep."

  Utterson reflected a little, looking in the fire.

  "I have no doubt you are perfectly right," he said at last, getting tohis feet.

  "Well, but since we have touched upon this business, and for the lasttime I hope," continued the doctor, "there is one point I should likeyou to understand. I have really a very great interest in poor Hyde. Iknow you have seen him; he told me so; and I fear he was rude. But I dosincerely take a great, a very great interest in that young man; and ifI am taken away, Utterson, I wish you to promise me that you will bearwith him and get his rights for him. I think you would, if you knew all;and it would be a weight off my mind if you would promise."

  "I can't pretend that I shall ever like him," said the lawyer.

  "I don't ask that," pleaded Jekyll, laying his hand upon the other'sarm; "I only ask for justice; I only ask you to help him for my sake,when I am no longer here."

  Utterson heaved an irrepressible sigh. "Well," said he, "I promise."