The Woman in White Deen ee ree 4 oer petty ere er eee od ‘secret ~a secret that could bring ruin and shame to man ee ee See ee rey ee een eet cee ated every page Fperiiem ie see iaerscaas OXFORD See hn oman in White .THE WOMAN IN WHITE She appears out of nowhere, woman dressed alin white standing in the moonlight om the lonely heath, Walter artright is at fist alarmed, bur then sees thar she is ightened ard confused, anal nce his help. He speaks kindly to her, walks with her to show her the right co and soon she disappears othe night again. This strange mectng begins chain of events that bring, her Walter, Marian and hee half-sister Laura, Sir Percival ad his lela friend Count Foseo in a mystery in which nothing sas it seems. And at the heart of the ney figure ofthe woman in white ~ nl the sore that sheisdesperate to mystery isthe sad, her lifes her history. reveal before she dis In isa story of grood and evil, innocence and betrayal fan cruel deveptions. And also love confuse ident ‘Tove that begins with hearthteak and misery, where ehere Seoms no way forward, 0 hope forthe future, Bu love does not die easily it ean survive separation, and despair, and ever death itselfThe Woman in White Retold by Richard G. Lewis ~SOR So, Sioa neo Se aaa Nemeth ‘wn nen ane ym staat poy Oe ney are ca w " 2 6 4 is CONTENTS, A mestng by moonlight 1 Life at Limmeridge Howse “The unsigned ee B Arrangements fora marriage 2 A document for signature 2 An appointment by the lake a ‘\ conversation in the night » Fever 56 The gravestone rs The reseue “ “The investigation 7% The wore s ‘The threat 86 “The confesion o The proof or cuoseany tos Activin: Refore Reading tos scrisaits While Reading 109 scristits: After Reading m2. nour INE AUTHOR usPEOPLE IN THIS STORY Walter Hareright, drawing teacher Professor Pesca, friend of Walter Hartight Anne Catheric, the woman in white Mrs Catherick, Anne's mother 4 friend of Anne Catherick Fail, later Laura, Lady Glyde Mes Clements La Marian Halsombe, Laura's halfsister Frederick Fai Limmeridge House Mr Gilmore Mr Kyrle Sir Percival Glyde, owner of Blackwater Park Count Fosco, a lalan nobleman Lavras uncle, anoer of Countess Fosco (Madame Fosco), the Count’s wife, cane Laura Eanes Aunt Eleanor Mrs Michelson, the housekeeper at Blackiwater Park Mrs Rubell, ure employed by Count Foseo Me Dawson a doctor Fanny, Lady Glyd’s maid PART ONE 1 A meeting by moonlight Iewas the last day of July. The long hors aw end, and Iwas fesling ill and depressed. | was also short of ‘money, s01 had litle chanee of escaping from the dusty London streets, and would have to spend the autumn economically mer was coming to between my rooms in the ity and my mother’s house. ‘My mother and my’ sister, Sarah, lived in a cottage in Hampstead, in the northern suburhs, and I usually went t0 sce them twice a week. This evening I arrived atthe gate of the ‘cottage just a it was starting to got dark. had bell efore the door was opened violently, and my halian friend, Professor Pesca, rushed ou to greet me. Pesca was Langage teacher who had left aly for political reasons and had made his home in England. He was a strange, excitable litle man, who was always tying to be more English than the English had met im from time to time when he was rly rang the teaching the same houses as was, andl then one day Let him by chance in Brighton. We agreed to go for a swim together in the ea ‘occurred to me that e did not know ‘whet he suddenly sank ro the bottom, Iwas able ro dive down and save him. From thar day on he was my gratefu that eveingghe shossed his praviude to me whole if He ws very enthusiastic and it never for a moment ow toswim! Fortunately,The Woman in White ‘Now, my good friends’ he suid, when we were all in my smothers stting-room, I have some wonderful news for you. 1 Ihave been asked by my employer to recommend a drawing teacher fora post with rich family nthe north of England. And ‘who do you think I have recommended? The best drawing ig Pesca! How good you are to Walter! exclaimed my he “My mother ‘How kind, how generous you are!” ly grateful for his sll fle strangely depressed. thanked him waemly, however, and asked co sce the conditions, The note he gave me AAs for myself, although 1 was cer indoess, said that a qualified drawing teacher was wanted by Mr 3 Fairlie of Limmeridge House, Cumberland, 1 reach his two young niees for a period of at last four months. The Fr teacher was to live at Limmeridge House as a gentleman and receive four pounds a week. Letters t0 show he was of good character would be require. The positon was certainly an atractiveo ‘understand why felt o tle enthusiasm fort, However, since ‘ny mother and sister thought it was a great opportunity, and 1 and could not Jha mo wish wo huet Pesca’ elings,Lagreed w apply forthe job. “The next morning sent my letters of recommendation to the Professor's employer, andl four daystater I heard that Mr Failie accepted my services and requested mie to star for Comberland eto leave the nextday, and inthe evening 1 walked to Hampstead t say goodbye to my mother and Sarah, When Ife them 3¢ i dae blue, stares ky immediately. Larran he full moon was shi Jthe air was soe and warm, decided rertake the lang ue home, and walk across Hampstead Heath before joining the road into the centre ofthe city. Af ‘came ta ceossroads and turned onto the London road. was Jost my own thoughts, wondering about the two young ladies The story told hy Walter Hartright 3 in Cumberland, when salen, my hear sceme to stop beating Athand had touched my should from behind {ured at once, my hand tightening om my walking stick “There, as if t ad dropped from the sky, stood the figure of 2 woman, dressed from head ta foot i white clothes. L838 t00 surprised to speak, “Is that the road into London? she said. Hooked at her carefully. Ie was then nearly one o'clock All 1 could ee the moonlight was a young colourless face, large sad eyes, and light brown hait. Her manner was quiet and self nd why she was out solate alone, Leould not guess. But there was nothing evil about hher— indeed, a kind of sad innocence scemed to come from her. "Did you hear me she said, quietly and rapidly. “Yess 1 replied, that’s the road, Please excuse me — 1 was ‘ather surprised by your sudden appearance.” "You don’t suspect me of doing anything wrong, do you? No, mo, secing you so suddenly gave mea shook, thats all.” “Theard you coming,’ she sad, “and hid behind those tres to sce what sort af man you were, before I risked speaking, May I trust you?" Her eyes searched my face, ansiously controlled What sort of woman she ws Her loneliness and helplessness were so obvious that I felt reat sympathy for ber. “Tell me how Lan help you’ Tsai “and ‘fcan, twill? “Oh, thank you, thank you, You are very kind.” Her voice trembled afte as she spoke, “don't know London a all. Can 1 get a cab or a carriage at eis time of night? Could you shove me where to get o me? Lhavea friend in London who will be glad to receive me. wane nothing else — will you promise? ‘She looked nervously up and down the rad, hen hack at me iow could I refse? Her fea ann confusion were painful ts. nd will you promise not to interfere with‘ The Woman in White The story tll by Water Hartight *No, sit, Why? What has she done?” “Done! She has eseaped from my asylum, ‘An asylum! Bur the woman had not seemed mad 0 me rnd lle strange, perhaps, but aot mad, What had | donc? Had I helped a woman wrongly imprisoned to escape? Nervous ‘Or had I failed to protec sick person who might come vo haem? These diurbing thoughts kept me awake al night after I had sot hack ro my rooms, until ar Las ie was ime to leave London and set out for Cumberland ‘My eravelling instructions directed me to Carlisle and then to change teins for Lined long delay [missed my connection and ddl nor get to Limmeridge ell past ten. A servant rather 3 bad temper was wait station with exrrage and when Latrived ar Limmeridge House everyone had gone to bed, I was shown to my room and when Tatlast put out the candle, Ishowghe to myself, What shall see in my dreams tonight? The woman in white? Or the unknown | inhabitants of this Cumberland house?” However, because 0 for me tthe 2 ile at Gimmeridge House When I gor up the next mi anda view of bl ing L was rect by bright sunligh the window. The future suddenly sea thro scemed fll of promise. [found my way down ta the breakfast- room and ther, ooking out of a window with her back turned n with a perfect figure. Bar when she ‘urmed and walked rowan me, [sa tomy surprise that her fase tome, a8 young wom was uely. Har grew on her upper lip, and her mouth was large and fem. Ie was almost a man's face, but the friendly sie she fave me softened it and made her look more womanly. She welcomed me in a pleas 1erself ay Marian Haleome, Miss Fairlie’ half sister. , educated voice and introduced “My mother was twice el, she explained, in her easy, friendly manner. “Theirs time w Mr Haleombe, my faher,and thesecond time to Mr Fails my half sister’ father. My father ‘was. poor man and Miss Fthe’s father was a rich man, Pve ot nothing, and she has a foreune. 'm dark and ugly, and she’s fae and prety. She said al his quite happily “My sister and I are very fond af cach other, x yo Hartright, or please neither of us." ‘he then tol me that Miss Fairhe had a headache that morning and way being looked after by Mrs Vesey must please both of is, Me an elderly Jady who had once boon Miss Fair's governess °So we shall be alone a breakfast, Me Harsh,’ she sai, “As for Me Fairlie, your employer, you will doubtless meet him lator. Hes Miss Fairlie’ uncle, a single man, who became Miss Fairlie’ uaedian when her parents died He suffers from some _mysterious illness ofthe nerves, and never leaves his rooms. While we ate breakfast, she described the quiet, ear life that she and her sister led. “Do you think you wll et sed it she said. "Or will you be restless and wish For some adventure? Hearing the word “adventure? reminded me of my meeting. with the woman in whit, and her reference to Mis Faire old Miss Haleombe all abot my adventurs, and she shows eager iimerest, especially inthe mention of hee mother. “bur you didn't find out the woman's name?” she said “mafia not. Only that she came from Hampshire. ‘Well, I shall spend the morning.” said Migy Halcombe, ooking through my mother's eter, Fm sure twill find some8 The Woman in White he story told by Walter Hartright 9 clues there to explain this mystery Lunch is arto o'clock, Mr Hartright, an I shall inrodce you Aer Ineakfast Mr Faitlie's personal servant, Louis, cameo tall me that Mr Fairlie would like t0 sce me. I followed the servant upstairs and was shown into a lange room full of ae treasures. There, in am armehaie, sata small, pale, delicate ooking man of about fifty. Despite his Fine clothes and the ‘valuable rings on his sof white ingers, the suoattractive about him "So glad to have you here, Mr Hartright’ he said in a high, complaining voice, ‘Please sit down, but don’t move the chair e was something very Inmiy stat of nerves any: movement is painfl tome. May’ Task if you have found everything satisfactory here at Limmeridge? ‘When I hegan to reply he a once raised his hand to stop mic “Please excuse me. But could you speak more softly? simply cannot bear loud voices, or indeed, any kind of loud sound.” The interview did not last long as Me Faia ‘nzerestin it, He informed me thatthe ladies would make ll he e quickly lost arrangements for their drawing lessons suffer so much from my nerves, Mr Harcight he said. Do vou mind ringing the bell for Lowis? Thank you. Good oming!” ‘With great relief I left the room, and spent the rest ofthe morning looking forward to lunchtime, when 1 would be Introd to Miss Fai [At ewo ovelock F entered the dining room and found Miss Halcombe seated a the table witha rather fa lady who smile allthetime. This, discovered, was Ms Vewy. Westarted eating and bel Fairlie, Miss Halcombe noticed my frequent glances at the door [understand you, Mr Hartright,” she said. “You are long we had finshed lunch, with til na sign of Miss "wondering about your other student. Well, she as got over her headache, but did not want any lunch. Ifyou will follow me, 1 think Ica find her somewhere inthe garde We walked out togther along pach dough the aden, until wwe came 104 pretty summerhouse, Inside I could see a young lady standing neae a table, looking out atthe view and raring the pages of alittle drawing hook. This was Mis Laura Faihe How can [describe er? How can I separate this moment from allshat has happened since then? Ina drawing ater made of her she appears asa light, youthal Fguee wearin biue striped dress and a summer hat. Her hair is light brown, lost gold, al she has eyes that are clear and ble, with a lok ple white and ‘of truth in thom. They give her whole face such a chem that it {sffcul to notice each individual feature: she deicae, though not perfectly straight, noses the sweet, sensitive mouth The life and bea of her fae hes inher eyes. Such was my impression, but a the same time el there was something about her that {could not explain ~ something tha ought to remember, but could not, act, Lwas thinking about this so much that I could hardly answer when she greeted me. Miss Halcombs, believing I was sh, quickly sa voue perfect sue,’ and she pointed ae the sketches She has ook at already started work before your lewons have begun, You must show them to Mr Hartright, Laura, when we go fora drive.” Miss Fairlie Iaughed with bright good humour “Thope he will give his te opinion of them and nor ust say something co please me,’ she si ‘May I enquire why you say that asked, “Because [shall believe all that you tell me,’ she answered simply In those few words she gave me the hey 40 her own trusting, truthful characterw The Woman in White Later we went for our promised drive, bur must confess that | was far more interested in Mis Fairlie’s conversation than her sketches. soon drawing teacher and when Iwas on my own agai fle and dissatisfied with nyse Ac dinner that evening chese footings soon disappeared, and when he meal wasover, we went into a large siting room with lass doors leading into the garden. Mrs Vesey fll asleep in an stmichairand Miss Halcombe sat near a wink to look through her mother’s eters. Army raquest Mis Fail played the piano. How will lever forget that peaceful picture? The flowers curse, the music of Mozarg, Miss Halcombe reading the eters ‘nthe halllght, the delicate ulin of Miss Fei face agains the dask wall, Ir was an evening of sights and sounds to remember forever. Later, when Miss Faidic had finished playing and had wandered out io the moonlit garden, Miss Holcombe called me. Me Hartrght, will here for a minute? lize | was behaving mote like guest than I swent over: “tes from my mother to her second husband ewelve years a led Mrs Catheric, who had come to lok afer he sick sister living the village: eseems she brought her ony child with he, te gi alld Anne, who was about a year older than Laura. was ata school in Paris at She mentions lady from Hampshire c the time, My mother, who took a great interest in the village schoo, says the little pl was slow in learning so she gave her lessons here a the house, She also gave her samc of Laura's white dresses and white hats, saying she looked beter in white than any ‘other colour, She sys that hte Anne Catherick was so grateful, and loved her so much that one day she kise ber hand and said, “PIT always wear white a6 Tong a8 1 lve. Ie will elp me £0 The story told by Walter Hartright " Miss Halcambe stopp and looked ar me: Did the woman you et that night scem young enough so be Iswentystwo or twenty-three?” “Yes, Miss Haleomthe, as young as that. “And was she dressed front head to footy all in white? “Allin white From where { sat, [ could sce Miss Fairlie walking inthe szarden, and the whiteness of he dessin the moonlight sxkdenly ‘made my heart heat faster. “Now listen to what my mother says a the end ofthe eter” ‘Miss Haleombe continued. “Ie will surprise you, She says that perhaps the real reason for her liking little Anne Catherick so much was that she looked exactly hike— Before she could finish, I jumped up. Outside stood Miss Faicie a white fquee alone in the moonlight, And suddenly 1 realized what i was thar had been unable ro remember —it was the extraordinary likeness hetwcen Miss Laura Faieie and the runaway from the assum, the woman in white "You sci sail iss Halcombs, “Justas my mother saw the likeness between them years ago” ‘Yes! I replied. “But very unwillingly. To connect that lonely, friendess woman, even hy an accidental likeness, co Miss Fairi clisturbs me very much, Ldon' like to think oft, Please call her in from that horrible moonlight!” “We won't say anything abour this likeness to Laura’ she sti e will be a secret between yout an me’ Then she called Miss Faire in, asking her to play the pi eventful day at Linmeridge House eame to:an en tins aoa so my ist “The days passed. the weeks passed, and summer changed into A peaceful, happy tine, hot a lst, Thad to confess 10 myself my real feclngs for Mis Fait 2 golden aut2 The Woman in Whit Howved her Everyday Iwas near her in that dangerous closeness which cists between teacher and student, Often, as we heat over her sketch-book, our hands and faces almost touche: breathed the perfume of her hair. should have pu a profesional distance Itween myself and her, as had always done with my students in the past But I did no, and ie was soon to0 late By the third month of my stay in Camb Arcam of love and blind ro the dangers ahead of me. Then the : she changed towards me. There was a sudden nervous distance, and a kind of sadness, ele a th moment is heyond description, But 1 knew then thar she had changed because she had suddenly discovered not only my Lan 1 was Tose in «warning inally came ~from he nthe space of one night her aticude, The feelings, but her own as well. This change was also reflected i ‘Miss Haleombe, who said nothing unusual ro me, bur who had developed a new habit of always watching me. This new and awful situation continued for some time until, on a Thursday, hear the end of the third month, I was at last reseued by the sensible and courageous Miss Haleombe “Have you got a moment for me? she asked after breakfast °Shall we yo inte the arden? We walked so the summerhouse and went inside. Miss Hilcomotuened to me. Me Hartright, what Hhave to sty to you ean say here. Now know that you area good man who always acts correctly. Your story about that unhappy woman in Lomo proves that. As yout fricnd, must ll you that Ihave discovered your foclings for my sister, Laura, Although you have done nothing wrong, except show weakness, Lust ell you to leave Iharm is done. And there is somethingele I ust ll you, which will lo give you pain. Will Limmeridge House before a you shake hands with your friend, Marian Halcombe rst” The story told by Walter Harright B She spoke with such kindness that I shook her hand *You must leave because Laura Fairlie is to be iol? like bullet to my hear, I eurned whitey elt cold. With one word al my hopes disappeared. The lst word we “You must put an end to your feelings, hete, where you fist met het: [wll hide nothing from you. She is not marrying for Joe, bu because of promise she made to her father just before Ihe died. The man she ist marey arrives here next Monday.” ‘Let me zo today, ‘No, not today That would Took stange. Wat il tomorow, after the post has arrived. Say to Mr Fairhe that you have received had news and must return to London, “Lull follow youradvice, Miss Haleombe;"Isaid sadly. “Bu ‘may’ L ask sho the gentleman engaged to Miss Fairlie i? ‘An sald bitterly. "The sooner the beter h onan from Hampshire. Hampshire! Again a connestion with Anne Catherick! An his namie? I asked, as calmly as I could Sir Percival Glyde. Sie eemembered Anne Catherick’s suspicious question abort Baronets, and my voice shook a httle as Lasked, she a Baronet? ‘She paused fora moment, then answered, “Yes, a Baronet.” 8 The unsigned letter AAs Lat alone in my room later that morning, my thoughts ron in on me. There was n0 som atall for metoconnest Sir Percival Glyde with the man who had made Anne Catherick so afraid ~ but I di, My suffering was great, bu even greater4 The Woman ie White was my feeling that some terrible invisible danger lay ahead of ts, Then I heard a knock at my door. Ie was Miss Maleombe, "Mr Hareright am sorry ro disturb you, but you are the person who can advise me. A letter Fairlie hoerible Percival lye, Iehas upset my sister very much, Should fry to find out who wrote i or wait to speak to Mr Gilmore, Me nly just arrived for Miss ign letter, arming her not to marry Sit "sla adviser, who arrives tomorrow ‘Se gave me the leter. There was no greeting; na signature ies Fairlie? Last might 1 dreamt | saw you in your white wedding dress ima church, so pretty, Do you believe in dream ‘0 innocent, By your side stood a mun with the scar ofan old two om his ight and —adsome mam, but with a black, il hearts. mam ro bas brovght misery to many, and who tell bring misery to you, And i my dream 1 ried for you. Find out the past life ofthis man, Miss Fairlie, before you marry him. Lend you tis warning, becanse your mother was ‘my fist, my best, my only fie “These last words suggested am idea to me, whieh Iwas afraid to mention, Was 1 in danger of losing my balance of mind? Why should everything ead back tothe woman in white? Think a woman wrote this ter said Miss Maleombe, “ht certainly refers to Sir Percival ~ U remember thar sear. What should Ido, Me Harrighe? This Giliones coming to discus the Financial details of Miss Fati's marriage, and Si Pereival arrives on Monday to fx the date of| the marrage ~ though Miss Fairlie dues not know this yet” The date ofthe marriage! Those words filled me with jealous espaie Perhaps there was some ruth this eter. IFT could find rerhaps I would find a way to prove that Sir Percival ery must he solved. Mr the weiter, ‘Glyde was not the honest man he seme “The story tld by Walter Hartright 1s “Ithink we should begin enguiris at once, Isai. “The longer swe delay, the harder i will he to find out anything” ‘We questioned the servants and learnt tha the letter had een “clverad by an elderly woman who had then disappeared inthe Airestio ‘ofthe village. Peoplein Limmridge remembered sscing, ‘the woman, but no one could tell us who she was or where she had come from. Finally I suggested asking the school teacher AAs we approached the school door, we col hear the teacher rane ofthe boys, saying angrily thar there were no such things as ghosts. Ie was an awkward moment, but we went fn anyway and asked our question. The teacher could tll us ‘nothing, However, as we ture 0 leave, Miss Halcombe spoke tothe boy standing inthe corner: a the folish boy who was talking about ghosts? Yes, Miss. Bue I saw one! L saw i yesterday, in the