My Cousin Rachel Page #2

It was in that empty house Mr. Rainaldi and from the lips of a servant

That I first learned of the death of my cousin.

I regret the circumstances I assure you.

Why was I not informed at least of his illness?

Your cousin's death was quite sudden Mr. Ashley.

ot so sudden apparently that he hadn't time to write me these letters.

Yes she was afraid that he might have written something like this.

The doctors warned her he might.

Why did they warn her?

Because of his behavior.

Which became quite strange and secretive during those last few weeks.

ot without reason of course.

On the contrary

With a very good reason.

The tumor they said was beginning to press on his brain.

They said he had a tumor?

That was the cause of his death.

May I ask what proof there is of that?

Certainly.

This is a copy of the certificate of death signed by both doctors.

A second copy was posted to you at the time

And a third to the trustee of your cousin's will Mr. icholas Kendall of Cornwall.

How did you know Mr. Kendall was the trustee of the his will?

I read it in the will.

You read my cousin's will?

Certainly he showed it to me.

May I ask how he disposed of the estate?

In effect to you.

All of it?

In trust I believe until your 25th birthday.

What about her?

There was no mention of Mrs. Ashley in the will filed for probate.

She'll take action of course to break it.

On the contrary

I have already written Mr. Kendall our entire approval of its terms.

I wish I could say that your

Explanation of his illness satisfied me

But it doesn't.

Regardless of those doctors

Regardless of that paper

Those are not the letters of a man simply sick

They are the letters of a man in danger

Surrounded by enemies.

Sick not only in body but in mind too remember.

He was failing fast.

What of this?

"She as done for me at last. Rachel my torment."

What explanation do you have for that?

Are you any sort of student of medical history Mr. Ashley?

Of course not.

There is a particular affliction of the brain in the case of a tumor

Or similar growth which results in the sufferers becoming troubled with delusions

He fancies for instance that he's being watched

That the person nearest to him such as his wife

Is either turned against him or is unfaithful or seeks to take his money

o amount of love or persuasion can relieve him of this suspicion

Once it takes hold.

If you don't believe me or this book which you may take with you

Ask an English doctor your own perhaps.

Then why didn't she send for me?

If Ambrose had lost faith in her

Why not send for the one closest of all to him.

You're very young aren't you Mr. Ashley...

My age is not the question here!

Why was I not sent for at once?

I wished only to make the point

That I am older than you

And have probably had more experience with women.

The Contessa is a woman of very strong feelings.

And such women do not acknowledge defeat easily.

They cling to the things they want.

They never surrender actually.

Where is she now?

I have no idea.

She left Florence yesterday without telling me where she was bound.

When she wishes me to know where she is she will write to me.

Is there anything more I may do for you while you're here?

o thank you.

If you wish to see the grave before you leave

It's in the protestant cemetery.

The stone ordered by Mrs. Ashley is already in place I believe.

When she returns

Tell her I was here

Tell her for me I went to the villa and heard how Ambrose died

And tell her also about the letters he wrote to me.

I will. If she returns.

But Mrs. Ashley is also one of impulse

And there is no assurance that she will ever come back to Florence again.

Good day sir.

There beside his grave I made a vow.

I swore that whatever it had cost Ambrose in pain and suffering

I would return it in full measure.

Because I did not believe Rainaldi's story.

I believed in the truth of the two letters that I held in my right hand.

Someday somehow I would repay my cousin Rachel.

I must say you're a great deal prompter than I've been accustomed to with you.

We raced.

It's the only way to get him anywhere on time.

Will you be long?

I don't think so.

Then if you'll excuse me i'll change and we'll have some tea.

Such mystery

Don't look at me I don't know what it is.

Well.

Philip.

I've odd news for you.

Yes?

Mrs. Ashley is here.

In this house?

In plymouth.

She arrived by ship two days ago.

She writes to tell me of abrose's death.

Apparently she knows nothing of your visit to Florence.

I think you should read it.

I think it would impress you.

What's she after? A settlement?

o.

She only wants to return the remainder of Ambrose's possessions.

His books his papers. Old clothes.

She wants to bring them here herself I suppose.

To judge from this letter the one from Rainaldi last week

She wants nothing more of us not one shilling.

Although I believe that as the widow she might properly make some kind of claim on the estate.

Claim? After driving him to his death?

That's a very foolish thing to say Philip.

And I wouldn't repeat it if I were you.

If ever she heard such a charge

She would be well within her rights to bring a case against you for slander.

Well within her rights.

If Ambrose had thought she deserved it.

He would have left his wife something

The whole estate in fact and you know it.

Unless he was too ill to recognize his obligations.

But surely you don't believe that story of the tumor.

I do now yes.

Here is her record here is Rainaldi's and here is the death certificate.

In addition to which I remember Ambrose's father's death.

The symptoms were quite similar.

Well you may but I don't not for a minute.

You mean you won't.

She doesn't even ask to see the house.

The house that would have been her home had Ambrose lived.

Instead of which a lonely hostelry in plymouth.

You touch me nick.

I'm sorry Philip.

As Ambrose's friend

I can't sit here and do nothing

When his widow arrives alone and friendless in this country.

I shall invite her to come here and stay with us.

Until her plans are formed.

I know you won't want to see her

So if she accepts my invitation

I won't ask you over while she's here.

On the contrary. I'd like very much to see her.

Perhaps you'll write that to her.

Tell her that Philip Ashley is rather a plain man

Living in rather a plain fashion with no fine manners whatsoever.

But if she wishes to see him and her late husbands home

The house will be completely at her disposal whenever she cares to visit.

You think for one moment she'd accept an invitation like that?

Send it along and we'll see whether she will or not.

Welcome Mrs. Ashley.

Thank you Seecombe

She has come sir.

She was due here at five. It's now nearly seven. I should hope she has.

Did you explain I was too busy to be here to meet her?

She said she understood sir.

Where is she now?

In her room sir.

Am I to understand that she's already dined without waiting for me?

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