The Twisted Sword Read Free Page B

weaknesses of the body. Although he had made his life contentedly in this remote corner of the southwest and seldom left it, his reputation had grown, and he corresponded with many of the advanced thinkers of the day.
    'Well, it's not a call for help in the normal sense,' said his wife.
    He kissed Demelza. She said: "You have seen ...?'
    'Ross, yes. I was coming back from Mingoose where Agneta was in an epilepsy. Yes, he told me.'
    'What?'
    'Of your invitation. And that you must reply to it by noon.'
    Caroline said: 'They are going, of course! They could not possibly turn down such an opportunity! But Demelza wants us to go too.'
    'So does Ross.'
    'Dwight!' said Demelza, beaming. 'So you will come? So you will both come?'
    Dwight put down his bag, touched his wife's shoulder affectionately as he walked past.
    'You're wet,' said Caroline accusingly. He warmed his hands at the fire. 'It's what we have discussed, isn't it? Promised ourselves ... But for me it can't be just so immediate. For an absence of perhaps six weeks - two months? - I must find someone more clever than Clotworthy to see to my flock. There is a young man from Exeter who I think might come down, but it cannot be arranged on the instant. I said to Ross we would come at Easter. That is quite early; Good Friday is March the 24th.'
    'Easter!' Demelza said in disappointment.
    'I know it is not as agreeable as it would be if we all travelled together. But I understand from Ross that if he accepts you must leave next week. That would be impossible for us. Also, Ross will have time to come to terms with his work in Paris and by Easter will probably be much freer of his leisure. And we shall be travelling as private citizens; you will be there in a semi-official capacity. When we come we shall see what we can of you - every moment that we can of you! - and then, for once perhaps, Demelza will be able to show Caroline round!'
    There was silence except for the sound of Horace the Third chewing on a bone.
    'It is not what I wanted,' said Demelza. Caroline leaned forward and patted her hand. 'It is not what I wanted; but for once -just for once - I think Dwight may be right. Easter will be a lovely time for us all!'
    Demelza pulled at a twist of dark hair which was still damp from the rain. 'Dwight, is it safe in Paris for children?'
    He turned from the window, exchanged a glance with Caroline. 'How am I to answer that? There are hazards everywhere. I do not suppose that Paris is less law-abiding than London.'
    'It was not of those hazards that I was most particularly thinking.'
    Nor was Dwight but he had been hoping to avoid the thrust of the question. At that moment Mrs Myners came in with the hot chocolate Caroline had ordered, so there was a further breathing space. When Mrs Myners had gone he said: 'D'you mean as to health? Well, there are hazards everywhere. There has been an outbreak of cholera in Plymouth this month.'
    'But not in Nampara,' said Demelza. There was an uncomfortable silence. It was all very long ago, but Dwight had once attended Demelza and her first daughter for the morbid sore throat which had then been raging through the county, and Julia had died.
    'I can't advise you on this, my dear,' he said gently.
    'Many thousands of children live and grow up in towns and come to no hurt. Have you discussed it with Ross?'
    'No. Nor never could I.' When Caroline looked at her inquiringly Demelza pulled at her drying curl again. "Tis not for me to shift the responsibility. Or to put a fear in his mind.'
    Caroline handed a cup of chocolate to Dwight, who carried it to Demelza. Caroline said brightly: 'Shall we be taking Sophie and Meliora?'
    Caroline too had lost her first child. But it was like her to rush this fence while Demelza was present. It was a measure of her friendship. Dwight said: 'Of course.'
    II
    Ross said: 'My reply to the Earl of Liverpool is confidential, of course, and I do not know how far you are privy to the message you brought