A Dark Anatomy Read Online Free Page A

my own Elizabeth. They do not amount to anything, in fact, except the remembered tatters of a youthful love. When I was nineteen Sarah had been a difficult creature to get to know. Closeted in Garlick Hall, she never attended assemblies, fairs, fetes or the races, and was brought in and out of church on Sundays clamped to her father’s, mother’s or brother’s arm. But then, at a country wedding in Yolland parish church, I had found myself in the pew behind hers and, afterwards, succeeded in walking her on my arm for an hour around the Green, first convincing her of my love, and after a little while persuading her to love me. I had never in my life been so eloquent. We stole a few meetings after that, when we kissed and held hands, and we exchanged letters through a servant. That was all there was in it before her mother found us out, dismissed the servant and forbade the liaison absolutely. She laid it down as law that no blind girl could ever make a wife, still less a satisfactory mother. So Sarah resumed her anathematized life, and I was sent away to the Inns of Court to think again about the constitution of happiness.
    â€˜Titus, won’t you sit? Bethany, it will be best I am sure if you leave us to talk alone.’
    Mrs Marsden’s mouth dropped at the sides in disappointment, but she withdrew without a word. I sat on the fireside chair opposite Sarah’s rocker. On the hearthrug between us her long-legged poodle lay stretched out and asleep.
    â€˜So!’ she exclaimed, almost gaily.
    For a moment she stopped rocking. Her face was turned, not towards me, but up at an angle, so that all I could see in the gloom were her white neck, jawline and cheekbone. Then she recommenced the back-and-forth movement.

    â€˜I believe it is the first time we have met since you grew into one of the town’s most respected men, Titus. I was always sure you would. So tell me, if you please. How do you find me after all this time?’
    I started. I should not have been unprepared for her directness, as she had always been the most outspoken of girls. Had I forgotten so much?
    I looked at her. Sarah was thirty-seven now but, in this dim flickering light, I could hardly see her except by reconstituting the appearance she had had two decades back. I had found it a rare, flawless, serene and tormenting appearance. Even those sightless eyes had been ornaments to me.
    So I could say, truthfully, ‘You are just as I remember.’
    She laughed.
    â€˜Not likely. Anyway you are not quite as I remember. Your voice is deeper. It seems you have acquired gravitas by attorney-ing, as I suppose was necessary.’
    â€˜Well, I am not here as an attorney, Sarah. As you know, your brother dismissed me from acting for this family.’
    Sarah sighed.
    â€˜Yes, of course. Why did he do that?’
    â€˜I have never known. I believe I always gave satisfaction.’
    She turned her head towards me, an ironic smile on her lips.
    â€˜So you did, Titus. Except to me, that is …’
    Perhaps I blushed, but it did not matter. She could not see. I coughed to let her know of my embarrassment.
    â€˜Well, I am here as the coroner, enquiring into the death of your sister-in-law.’
    â€˜Ah, yes. Dolores. I had not forgotten.’
    She sighed again, more deeply, raising her shoulders and letting them fall. After a few moments of silence, she said, ‘So, is she murdered, Titus?’

    â€˜I cannot say that. At this juncture the law keeps an open mind.’
    Her second laugh was unexpected.
    â€˜That is refreshing. The law so often keeps a closed one.’
    â€˜You seem to take this … event very lightly.’
    â€˜Do I? I don’t mean to.’
    â€˜Do you not grieve?’
    â€˜For Dolores? Such a death should be treated as a serious matter, certainly. A grave matter, as Hamlet would say.’
    â€˜It is my duty to treat it so.’
    She was immediately penitent of her