Dramatize the dialogue between Margaret and Oliver Haddo,

beginning with the words: "For God's Sake, take me for one moment into studio... "and ending with "But let us talk about something else". (Chapter 5).

12. Make up a gist of chapters 5 & 6.

Chapter 7.

Margaret slept badly, and next day she was unable to work as usual. She was sure that Haddo's sudden illness was a trick by which he wanted to get into the studio. And there he had taken advantage of her pity in order to use his hypnotic power. But no matter how she tried, she could not get the man out of her thoughts. Work could not distract her, and between her and all the actions of everyday life stood Oliver Haddo. Although she repeated to herself that she wanted never to see him again, Margaret could hardly resist an overwhelming desire to go to him. Her will had been taken from her, and she was an automaton. He had given her that address because he knew she would use it. She did not know why she wanted to go to him; she had nothing to say to him; she knew only that it was necessary to go.

Instead of going to the class, which was held at six in the evening, she hurried to the address that Oliver Haddo had given her. She walked along the crowded street stealthily, as though afraid that someone would see her, and her heart was beating violently. She ran up the stairs and knocked at the door. In a moment Oliver Haddo stood before her. He did not seem astonished that she was there.

"I've been waiting for you." he said.

"You knew I should come."

"I knew."

"What have I done to you that you make me so unhappy? I want you to leave me alone."

"I shall not prevent you from going out if you want to go. The door is open."

Her heart beat quickly and she remained silent. She knew that she did not want to go. There was something that drew her strangely to him, and she could not resist.

He began to talk with that low voice of his that thrilled her with a curious magic. He told her of strange Eastern palaces, of the moonlight nights of the desert, of the sunsets with their splendour and of the crowded streets at noon. The beauty of the East rose before her, and life itself seemed open to her, a life of freedom, a life of supernatural knowledge. She shuddered at the comparison between the dull life which awaited her as Arthur's wife and this bright, full existence. But it was possible for her also to enjoy the wonders of the world. She felt a sudden desire for adventures. As though fire passed through her, she sprang to her feet and stood with flashing eyes bright with multi-coloured pictures that his magic presented.

Oliver Haddo stood too, and they faced one another. Then with a quick movement he took her in his arms and kissed her lips.

She looked at him. "I think I love you," she said, hoarsely.

"Now you must go," he said.

He opened the door, and, without another word, she went.

Then Margaret felt every day that uncontrollable desire to go to him. There was always that violent hunger of the soul which called her to him, and the only happy hours she had were those spent in his company. She could not now imagine her life apart from his. Sometimes, suffering agonies of remorse, she would lie in bed at night and think with shame of the way she was using Arthur. But things had gone too far now, and she could not change them.

At last Haddo thought the time came for the final step.

"It may interest you to know that I'm leaving Paris on Thursday ," he said one afternoon.

She jumped to her feet and stared at him in astonishment.

"But what will become of me?"

"You will marry the excellent Mr. Burdon."

"You know I cannot live without you. How can you be so cruel?"

"Then the only alternative is that you should marry me."

She sank helplessly into her chair. Because she had refused to think of the future, it had never occurred to her that the time must come when it would be necessary to leave Haddo or to join her life with his for ever. It would be madness. Margaret realized that. Though a hateful passion bound her to this man, she loathed and feared him. She remembered Arthur's great love and all that he had done for her. She hated herself. She sprang up.

"Let me go from here! I wish I'd never seen you. I don't know what you've done with me."

He opened the door and stood at the threshold, with a smile on his face. His eyes were hard and cruel.

"Go," he said.

She bent her head and гаn before him. To get home she passed through the gardens of Luxembourg, but her legs failed her and she sank upon a bench. The bell of Saint Sulpice church was ringing for a service. Margaret walked slowly to the church and sat down on a bench in a corner. She hoped that the music would rest her soul and she would be able to pray. The music was beautiful but it did not move her. For her the service had no meaning, and in those ceremonies she could find no comfort. She felt completely lost. "God has abandoned me," she repeated. ''God has abandoned me."

Next day, her eyes red with tears, she dragged herself to Haddo's door. When he opened it, she went in without a word. She sat down, and he watched her in silence.

"I am willing to marry you whenever you like," she said at last.

Haddo told her that they could be married early enough on the Thursday morning to catch a train for England. She left everything in his hands. "I'm desperately unhappy," she said dully.

.....

Wednesday happened to be Arthur's birthday, and he asked Margaret to dine with him alone. They had arranged to eat at a fashionable restaurant on the other side of the river, and soon after seven they met.

Margaret had never been in better spirits. The champagne went quickly to her head, and she talked charming nonsense. Arthur was very proud and very happy. They talked of all the things they would do when they were married. They talked of the places they must go to, of their home and of the beautiful things with which they would fill it. They returned at Margaret's house and she held out her hand to him smiling.

"Goodnight."

"It's dreadful to think that I must spend a dozen hours without seeing you. When may Icome tomorrow?"

"Not in the morning, because I shall be too busy. Come at twelve."

She remembered that her train started exactly at that hour. The door was opened, and with a little wave of the hand she disappeared.

Chapter 8.

Susie stared without comprehension at the note that announced Margaret's marriage. It was sent from the Gare du Nord and ran as follows:

When you receive this I shall be on my way to London. I was married to Oliver Haddo this morning. I love him as I never loved Arthur. I have not told him anything because I had gone too far to make an explanation possible. Please tell him.

Margaret.

Susie did not know what to do nor what to think. There was a knock at the door, and she knew it must be Arthur. She decided quickly that it was impossible to break the news to him at once. Making up her mind, she opened the door.

"...Oh, I'm so sorry. Margaret isn't here," she said. "A friend of hers is ill and sent for her suddenly."

"What a pity!" answered Arthur. "Mrs. Bloomfield as usual, I suppose. Margaret has spent nearly every afternoon with her for some days."..

Susie did not answer. This was the first time she had heard of Mrs. Bloomfield's illness, and it was news for her that Margaret visited her. "Won't you come back at five o'clock?" she said.

"Oh, all right. Then I'll come back at five."

He nodded and went out. Susie read the brief note once more, and asked herself if it could possibly be true. She went to Margaret's room and saw that everything was in its place. But then she noticed that a number of letters had disappeared. She went out. At the door it occurred to her to ask the conceirge if she knew where Margaret had gone that morning.

"Yes, mademoiselle," answered the old woman. "I heard her tell the coachman to go to the British Consulate."

Susie drove then to Mrs. Bloomfield and asked her about Margaret. "I've not seen Margaret for three weeks," said the invalid.

"Haven't you? I thought she dropped in quite often." Susie spoke as though the matter was of no importance. She asked herself where Margaret could have spent those afternoons. On leaving Mrs. Bloomfield she went to the Consulate and learnt that Margaret and Haddo had been married. Then nothing remained but to go home and wait for Arthur.

At last he came. He entered joyfully and looked around. "Is Margaret not here yet?" he asked with surprise.

"Won't you sit down?"

He did not notice that her voice was hoarse, nor that she tried not lo look at him. "Mr.Burdon, I have something to say to you. It will cause you very great pain."

He noticed now the hoarseness of her tone. He sprang to his feet and a terrible thought flashed across his brain. Something horrible had happened to Margaret. She was ill. His terror was so great that he trembled from head to foot. Susie tried to speak, but she could not. Her voice broke, and she began to cry. She gave him the letter.

"What does it mean?"

He looked at her without understanding. Then she told him all that she had learnt that day and the places where she had been.

Arthur sat down and leaned his head on his hands. They remained in perfect silence. Susie suffered as much as he did. Her impulse was to throw herself on her knees, and kiss his hands, and comfort him; but she knew that he was interested in her only because she was Margaret's friend. At last he got up and taking his pipe from his pocket filled it silently. His face expressed such suffering that it was terrible to look upon,

"I can't believe it's true," he answered. "I can't believe it."

There was a knock at the door, and Arthur rushed to the door.

"Perhaps she's come back,"

But it was Dr.Porhoet.

"How do you do?" said the Frenchman, "What's happening?"

He looked round and caught the dismay that was on the faces of Arthur and Susie.

"Where is Miss Margaret? I thought you must be giving a party. I received a telegram from Mr. Haddo this morning."

He took it from his pocket and handed it to Susie. She read it and passed it to Arthur. It said:

"Come to the studio at five. High jinks. Oliver Haddo."

"Margaret was married to Mr. Haddo this morning," said Arthur quietly. They have gone to England."

Susie quickly told the doctor the few facts they knew. He was as astonished and upset, as they.

"But what is the explanation of it all?" he asked.

Arthur shrugged his shoulders.

"She cared for Haddo more than she cared for me, I suppose."

A spasm of pain passed over his face as he remembered how tender she had been the night before. The thought of Margaret in that man's arms tortured him as though his flesh were torn with iron hooks.

"Perhaps it's not true. Perhaps she'll return," he cried out.

"Would you take her back if she came to you?" asked Susie.

"Do you think that anything she can do has the power to make me love her less? There must be reasons of which we know nothing that caused her to do all she has done. If I could only be sure that she would be happy. Her future terrifies me."

Porhoet got up and walked across the room.

"I wonder why Haddo sent me that telegram.," he said. "What can it mean?"

Susie turned to Arthur.

"Do you remember that day at the fair when you called him a charlatan? I warned you, I told you that he had made up his mind to avenge himself, but you laughed at me. You know why Haddo sent Dr. Porhoet here today? He was present at his humiliation and he wished him to be present at his triumph,"

"I think that Miss Boyd is right," murmured the doctor. "After all, he couldn't hurt you more. He knew that you wanted nothing in the world more than to make Margaret your wife, and he has not only prevented that, but he has married her himself. And he could only do it by poisoning her mind; he must have completely changed her personality.”

"Ah, I feel that," cried out Arthur. "If Margaret has broken her word to me, if she has gone to him, it's because it's not the Margaret I know. Some devil must have taken possession of her."

"Is it possible that Haddo cast some spell upon her that would make her unable to resist his will?" said Susie. "Perhaps he has powers we can hardly imagine."

For a while they remained silent. It was Dr.Porhoet who spoke at last.

"But even if there is some truth in Miss Boyd's suppositions, I don't see how it can

help you. You cannot do anything. Her letter shows that she has married Haddo of her own free will and does not want to be released from him."

What he said was obviously true, and no reply was possible.

'The only thing is to grin and to bear it," said Arthur, rising.

"Where are you going?” asked Susie.

"I think I’ll get away from Paris. Here everything will remind me of what I have lost. I must get back to my work. If Margaret writes to you, I should like you to tell her that I will never reproach her for what she has done, and I will always do everything that she wants."

When Susie was alone she began to sob broken-heartedly, not for herself, but because of Arthur.

MAGICIAN

Ch. 7, 8

Memorize the following

as usual

supernatural

to take advantage (of)

the wonders of the world

in order to

remorse

no matter how (when, why..)

to fail to get smb./smth. out of one's thoughts

to abandon

the letter ran as follows

to distract

to break the news

everyday life

the matter was of no importance

an overwhelming desire (for)

to cause pain (trouble...}

stealthily

for a while

leave me alone

to avenge oneself

to prevent smb. from (+ N/Ger.)

to take possession (of)

to resist

to cast spell (upon)

at noon

of her own free will

splendour

to remind smb. of...

2.Find synonyms to:

to abandon; apart from; for ever, drop in; to comfort; beautiful.

3.Analyze the structure:

supernatural; moonlight; sunset; multi-coloured; uncontrollable; madness; helplessly; joyfully, broken-heartedly.

4.Explain the meaning of:

1. A hateful passion bound her to this man.

2. She talked charming nonsense.

5. Analyze the grammar structure:

1. "I want you to leave me alone"

2. "I've been watting for you" he said. "You knew I should come".

3. "I shall not prevent you from going out if you want to go".

4. Wednesday happened to be Arthur's birthday.

5. "Yes, mademoiselle,... I heard her tell the coachman, to go to the British Consulate".

6. The thought of Margaret in that man's arms tortured him as though his flesh were torn with iron hooks.

7. "Would you take her back if she came to you?".

8. He must have completely changed her personality.

9. It was Dr. Porhoet who spoke at last.

6. Find the context for:

an overwhelming desire; to enjoy the wonders of the world; he trembled from head to foot; he had made up his mind to avenge himself, it's not the Margaret I know; of her own free will.

7. Expand on the following:

1. He began to talk with that low voice of his that thrilled her with a curious magic.

2. She felt completely lost. "God has abandoned me" she repeated.

8. Which statements are false? Correct them:

1. In spite of Haddo's hypnotic power, Margaret managed to get him out of her thoughts. She plunged into work and devoted her time to everyday duties.

2. Instead of going to her class Margaret went to see Oliver Haddo. She was calm and reserved. Oliver was astonished to see her.

3. Margaret dined with Arthur at a fashionable restaurant. She was excited and gay and talked to Arthur about their future marriage.

4. A note sent from the Gare du Nord announced that Margaret had been married to Oliver Haddo, though she didn't love him at all.

5. On receiving the note about Margaret's marriage Susie decided to show it to Arthur at once without trying to find out anything about Margaret.

9. Find in the text the proof of the following:

1. Oliver Haddo was a brilliant talker.

2. Margaret lost her willpower and was tormented with contradictory feelings.

3. Susie found it hard to break to Arthur the news of Margaret's marriage because apart from being a tactful and sympathetic person, she cared for Arthur.

10. Answer the questions:

1. What is meant by the words: "Her will had been taken from her"?

2. Speak of Arthur's reaction to Margaret's letter.

3. What proves that Arthur had a real affection for Margaret?

4. How can you explain Margaret's behaviour?

11. Give up a detailed written plan of ch. 7,8. Retell the text after the plan.

12. Speak on the following:

1. What kind of change took place in Margaret's personality and why? Give your reasons.

2. Could you forgive a boy/girl if he/she betrayed your love?

 

Chapter 9.

Susie felt it impossible to stay in the deserted studio any longer, and accepted a friend's invitation to spend the winter in Italy. Margaret had not written to her, and she could not make herself write to her. In Rome Susie had news of Haddo and his wife. They had spent some time there, and the little English circle was still talking of their eccentricities. Haddo had excited attention by the extravagance of his costume and manner, and Margaret by her beauty. She was seen in her box at the opera every night, and her diamonds were the envy of all women. But suddenly the pair had disappeared without saying a word to anybody. It was reported that they were now in Monte Carlo.

Susie had intended to pass the spring on the Riviera, but when she heard that the Haddos were there, she hesitated. She did not want to run the risk of seeing them, and yet she had a keen desire to find out exactly how things were going. At last curiosity won and she went to Monte Carlo. After two or three days she saw them at the tables, but they were so absorbed in their game that they did not notice her, Margaret was playing, but Haddo stood behind her and directed her movements. Susie was unable to recognize in her the girl who had been her friend. What struck her most was that there was in Margaret's expression an extraordinary likeness to Haddo's. In spite of her beauty, she had Oliver's evil look which suggested that she saw with his eyes.

They had won great sums that evening. Taking up the money, Haddo touched her on the shoulder, and she followed him.

Susie learned that Haddos had rooms at the most expensive of the hotels. They knew few English except those who had bad reputations, but seemed to prefer the society of those foreigners whose wealth and eccentricities made them the centre of that little world. Margaret moved among all those odd people with a cold mysteriousness that excited everybody's curiosity. Oliver's eccentric imagination invented whimsical festivities and orgies that were held in the dark sitting-room of the hotel. He wanted to revive the mystical ceremonies of old religions imitating those he had seen in Eastern palaces. Haddo was thought to be involved in occult stu­dies, and some said that he was occupied with the Magnum Opus, the greatest and most fantastic of alchemical experiments. It was also said that he was attempting to create living beings. He had explained to somebody that magical receipts existed for the manufacture of homunculi.

No one understood his true relations with his wife, and it was said that he was sometimes very cruel to her. Susie's heart sank when she heard this; but several times when she saw Margaret, she seemed in the highest spirits. Then the same thing that had happened in Rome happened here again; they suddenly disappeared.

…

Susie had not been to London for some time, and as the spring advanced she remembered that her friends had invited her. Though she would not confess it to herself, her desire to see Arthur was the strongest of her motives. She knew that he would never care for her, but she was glad to be his friend.

In London she wrote to Arthur, and he invited her to the opera. Susie was terrified at the change that had taken place in him. He looked ten years older, he had lost weight, and his hair was white. But what most struck her was the change of his expression. The look of pain which she had seen on his face that last evening in the studio was now become settled, so that it changed its countenance. He was more silent than ever, and when he spoke, it was a strange low voice that seemed to come from a long way off.

He seemed glad to see her and asked about her travels with interest. He told her of his work. Besides his duties at the two hospitals, his teaching and private practice, he gave lectures and was editing a journal on surgery.

"How on earth can you find time to do so much?" asked Susie.

"I can do with less sleep than I used," he answered. "It almost doubles my working day."

He stopped abruptly and looked down. His remark had given him away and showed his sufferings which he tried to conceal. They sat in silence. At last Susie said, "I was never able to give Margaret your message. She did not write to me."

A look of pain on his face seemed stronger, but he said nothing. "I saw her in Monte Carlo," said Susie. "I thought you would like to hear about her."

" Idon't see that it can do any good," he answered.

Susie made a little hopeless gesture. She didn't know what to say.

When the opera was over and they went out into the vestibule, they saw doctor Arbuthnot, whom Susie had met on the Riviera and who was a colleague of Arthur's at the hospital.

"The very people I wanted to see!" he cried out. "Now look here, do me a great favour. I'm giving a supper party at the Savoy, and you must come by all means. I'll introduce you to a man and his wife who will thrill you. They are so strange."

"I'm afraid I must get home," said Arthur. "I have a lot of work to do." But Susie looked at him with such an appeal that he forced himself to smile and accept the invitation. They agreed to meet at the Savoy.

When they arrived at the restaurant Arbuthnot came up to them and took their arms.

"Come along. We're waiting for you. I’ll introduce you to everybody, and then we'll go in to supper."

They walked down the steps to the foyer and he led them to a group of people. They found themselves face to face with Oliver Haddo and Margaret. Arbuthnot introduced them. He did not notice that Arthur had become deathly pale and that Margaret was petrified with astonishment. Haddo, smiling, stepped forward. He seemed to enjoy the situation.

"Mr. Burden is an old friend of ours," he said "In fact, it was he who introduced me to my wife."

He held out his hand, and Susie took it. She shook hands with Margaret. During the supper Haddo ate and drank with great appetite. He took as usual the whole conversation upon himself, and Susie had to admit that he was at his best.

Margaret was as beautiful as ever, but her dress was much too gorgeous. She talked and laughed as much as her husband; perhaps she was trying to show that she was happy. She had been drinking glass after glass of wine and told anecdotes together with Oliver Haddo. But if his were witty immoral, hers were simply indecent. Everybody laughed, but Arthur sat in stony silence. He felt horribly uncomfortable. He was ashamed. He did not dare to look at Margaret. Margaret seemed quite unconscious of the effect she had produced and went on talking and laughing.

At last the lights were put out, and Arthur's agony ended. Margaret shook hands with him quite lightly.

"You must come and see us one day. We've got rooms at the Carlton"

He bowed and did not answer.

Susie had gone to the dressing-room to get her cloak. She stood at the door when Margaret came out.

"Can we drop you anywhere?" asked Margaret. "You must come and see us when you have nothing better to do."

Susie looked back. Arthur was standing in front of them looking down at the ground in complete abstraction.

"Do you see him?" she asked in a low voice trembling with indignation. "That's what you have made him. Do you know that he's killing himself on your account? He can't sleep at night. He's suffered the tortures of the damned. Oh, I hope you'll suffer as he's suffered!".

"I wonder that you blame me," said Margaret. "You should be rather grateful."

"Why?"

"You're not going to deny that you’ve loved him passionately from the first day you saw him? Do you think I didn't see that you cared for him in Paris? You care for him now more than ever.^”

Susie felt suddenly sick at heart. She had never thought that her secret was discovered. Margaret gave a little bitter laugh and passed by.

 

Chapter 10.

Arthur Burden spent two or three days in a state of complete uncertainty, but at last the idea he had in mind grew so compelling that it overcame all objections. He went to the Carlton and asked for Margaret. He had learnt from the porter that Haddo was out and so he hoped to find Margaret alone. When he was shown into the drawing-room he found Margaret sitting at the table. She neither read nor worked.

"You told me I might call upon you," said Arthur.

She stood up without answering and grew deathly pale.

"Why have you come?" she said hoarsely.

"I thought that I might be able to help you," he answered softly.

"I want no help. I'm perfectly happy. I have nothing to say to you."

She spoke hurriedly and nervously and her eyes were fixed anxiously on the door as though she feared that someone would come in.

"I feel that we have much to say to one another."

"He'll know," she cried suddenly. "Do you think anything can be concealed from him?"

Arthur glanced at her. He was horrified by the terror that was in her eyes.

"I want you to know that I do not blame you for anything you did. No action of yours can lessen my affection for you."

She suddenly burst into tears. She fell on her knees by Arthur's side and seized his hands.

"Oh, why did you come here? Why do you torture me by saying such things? Did you think I didn't see how you suffered? My heart bled when I looked at your face and your tortured eyes. Oh, Arthur, Arthur, you must forgive me."

"But there's nothing to forgive, darling."

She looked at him steadily.

"You say that but you don't really think it, and yet if you only knew that all I have suffered is because of you."

"What do you mean?" asked Arthur.

She made a great effort to be calm.

"He never loved me, he would never have thought of me if he hadn't wanted to hurt you. He hated you, and he's made me what I am so that you might suffer. It isn't I who lied to you and left you and caused you all this unhappiness. He has some dreadful power over me so that I've been like wax in his hands. All my will has disappeared. And if I try to resist... My life is hell, and his revenge is complete."

Margaret's agitation was terrible. This was the first time that she had ever spoken to anybody of all these things, and now the long restraint had burst as burst the waters of a dam.

"You always laughed at his claims. But I know. Oh, I can't explain it, but I’ve seen things with my own eyes that are against all comprehension. I tell you, he has powers of the most awful kind. Sometimes I think I shall go mad with the terror of it all."

"Look here," said Arthur. "You must come away at once."

"I can't leave him. It's no use."

"Why not?"

"Because I love him with all my soul."

"Margaret!"

"I hate him. He fills me with disgust. And yet I do not know what there is in my blood that draws me to him against my will. I can't help it."

A cold sweat came over Arthur, and he grew more pale than ever. He realized that he was in the presence of a mystery against which he could not fight!

"But if he doesn't love you, what does he want you for?"

She looked at Arthur steadily. She was now quite calm.

"I think he wishes to use me for a magical operation, I don't know if he is mad or not. But I think he intends to try some horrible experiment and he wants me for its success."

"What do you mean by saying he wants you?"

"He wants my life."

It was more than Arthur could stand. He saw on the table a whisky bottle. He poured some whisky into a glass and gave it to Margaret.

"Drink it," he said

Obediently, she put it to her lips.

"Now come with me."

He took her arm and led her down the stairs. He passed through the hall quickly. There was a cab just at the door, and he told her to get in. He directed the driver to the house in which Susie lived and looked at Margaret. She had fainted immediately she got into the cab. He told Susie what had happened and what he wanted of her. She promised willingly to do all he wished.

...

Arthur hired a little cottage in Hampshire, hoping that among the most charming, restful scenery in England Margaret would quickly regain her strength; and as soon as it was possible Susie took her down. But she was much afraid.

For a week Margaret could not be moved. Although her illness was neither long nor serous, she felt as if she had been for months at the point of death. But at last it seemed necessary to discuss the future. Nothing had been heard of Oliver Haddo, and Margaret willingly agreed to institute a suit for divorce. She was eager to be set free. She was growing stronger and more cheerful; her charming laughter rang through the little house as it had been in the Paris studio. But presently a change came over her.

As the day of trial drew nearer Margaret became excited and nervous, her gaiety abandoned her, and she was silent and moody. When Susie asked her what troubled her, she said: "I'm afraid that something is going to happen." She could not explain what she meant.

One day when Susie came home she did not find Margaret in her room. There was a note on the table.

"It's no use. I can't help it. I've gone back to him. Don't trouble about me any more. It's quite hopeless."

Susie's first thought was for Arthur; once more she had to break the dreadful news to him. At that moment the door was opened, and Arthur came in.

Susie gave a cry of terror and turned pale.

"I wanted to come to see you," she said. "How did you find out?"

"Haddo sent me a box of chocolates early this morning with a card on which was written: 'I think the odd trick is mine."

He read Margaret's note and was silent for a long time.

"I'm afraid she's right," he said at last. "It seems quite hopeless. The man has some power over her against which we can't fight."

Susie wondered whether his strong skepticism was failing at last. She did not doubt that Oliver was able to affect his wife even at a distance, and was convinced now that Margaret's restlessness of the last few days was due to this mysterious power. She could not resist and had gone to him instinctively, like steel to a magnet.

"There's nothing that one can do. One can't go to the police and say that a man has cast a magic spell on his wife. І can do nothing though I'm convinced that Margaret is very unhappy."

Chapter 11.

Returning to London after Margaret's disappearance Burdon had thrown himself again into the work trying to distract himself from his thoughts. But it did not help him. He was sure that a great danger threatened Margaret. He could not tell what it was, but the idea was there always, night and day. He dreamed that she was at the point of death, and heavy chains prevented him from stretching out a hand to help her. At last he could stand it no more. He told another surgeon that private business forced him to leave London, and put the work into his hands. He supposed that Haddo had taken Margaret to his house to Skene. He went to Paris to see Susie and Doctor Porhoet. They tried to reason with him, but saw that it was quite useless.

"What do you want us to do?" asked Susie.

"I want you both to come to England with me at once. If we start now we can catch the evening train."

"For Heaven's sake, calm down a little," said Susie. "I'm convinced that you'll find Margaret safe and sound."

He did not answer. He gave a sigh of relief as they drove to the station.

...

Susie never forgot the horror of that journey to England. They arrived in London early in the morning and without stopping drove to Skene. It was a small place with one public house serving as a hotel to the rare travellers who stayed there.

They tried to find out something about the Haddos. Oliver was the local magnate, and his wealth and eccentricity made him a usual topic of conversation. The landlady of the hotel called him insane; she told them of Haddo's evil influence on the crops and cattle of farmers who had aroused his anger. As soon as he could do so, Arthur asked about Margaret. The landlady shrugged her shoulders. No one knew anything certain about her. "People say the poor lady is dead," she said.

"What did she die of?" asked Susie, her eyes on Arthur.

"They say it was heart disease," answered the landlady. "Poor thing! It's a happy release for her."

Susie seized Arthur's arm..

"Arthur, Arthur. You couldn't have done anything, if you had been here. If Margaret died of heart disease, your suspicions were quite without ground."

His silence terrified her more than anything. The landlady was on the point of leaving when Arthur stopped her.

"How do you know that Mrs. Haddo died of heart disease?" he asked suddenly.

"Dr. Richardson told me so."

"Where does he live?"

"Why, sir, he lives at the white house near the station". She could not understand why Arthur asked these questions.

"Thank you. You can go."

"What are you going to do?" asked Susie. He turned on her with a sudden rage.

"I'm going to see this doctor. Margaret's heart was as good as mine, I'll put a rope round that man's neck, and if the law won’t help me, I'll kill him myself. I know that Margaret didn't die naturally. I'll never rest so long as that fellow lives."

...

Dr. Richardson was a little man of fifty-five with a white beard and prominent blue eyes.

Arthur was shown into the consulting-room and shortly told him about the reason of his visit.

"I have just learnt of the death of Mrs. Haddo. I was her oldest friend. I came to you in the hope that you would be able to tell me something about it."

Dr. Richardson gave him a suspicious glance.

"I don't know why you came to me instead of her husband. He will be able to tell you all that you wish to know."

"I came to you as a fellow-doctor," answered Arthur. He pointed to his card, which Dr. Richardson still held.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Burdon?"

"I should be very much obliged if you would tell me how Mrs. Haddo died."

"It was a very simple case of endocarditis. I don't think there is anything I can tell you."

"Did you have a post-mortem?"

"Certainly not. In the first place there was no need as the cause of death was perfectly clear, and secondly, you must know that her husband was against anything of the sort"

Arthur was silent for a moment. It was evident that the little man would do anything to avoid social scandal. Still Arthur went on.

"I think I must tell you, Dr. Richardson, that I don't believe that this lady's death was due to natural causes. I want to make an exhumation and I hope you will assist me in every possible way."

"I shall do nothing of the kind. There is no need for exhumation and I shall do everything in my power to prevent it".

He flung the door open. Susie and Dr. Porhoet walked out and Arthur looking down thoughtfully, followed them. Dr. Richardson slammed the street door angrily.

Chapter 12.

Arthur would not leave Skene. He spent long hours by himself in the country and Susie and the doctor had no idea what he did. Several days went by. At last Susie decided to make one more attempt. It was late at night, and they sat with open windows in the sitting-room of the inn.

"Arthur, you must tell us what you are going to do," she said, "It is useless to stay here. We are all ill and nervous. We want you to come away with us tomorrow."

"You can go if you like," he said. "I shall remain till that man is dead."

"It is madness to talk like that. You can do nothing."

"I have made up my mind.",

'The law can offer you no help and what else can you do?"

"If I can do nothing else, I shall kill him myself."

She could think of nothing to say, and for a while they remained in silence. It was so still in theroom, as though it was empty. Suddenly there was a loud rattle of thunder. It was so loud that it seemed to be above their heads.

The lamp went out so suddenly that Susie was a little frightened. They were in total darkness. The night was very black, and they could not see the window which opened on to the back yard.

Suddenly Susie's heart sank, and she sprang up.

"There's someone in the room."

She had just uttered these words when she heard Arthur fling himself upon the intruder. She knew at once, by an intuition, that it was Haddo. But how had he come in? What did he want? She tried to cry out, but no sound came from her throat. Dr. Porhoet did not move. He made no sound. She knew that an awful struggle was going on. It was a struggle to the death between two men who hated one another but the most terrible part of it was that nothing was heard. She tried to do something but she could not move. They struggled silently, hand to hand, and Arthur knew that his strength was greater. He clenched his teeth and tightened his muscles. It seemed for hours that they struggled.

All at once Haddo collapsed and they fell heavily to the ground. Arthur seized the huge throat and dug his fingers into it; he was strangling him, strangling the life out of him. He knew now that his enemy was in his power at last. He wanted light so that he could see the horror on that fat face, and the deadly fear in his eyes. He forgot everything; he was mad with rage andanger, and hate and sorrow. And at last аll was still, and he knew that his enemy was dead. He put one hand over the heart. It would never beat again. The man was stone dead. Arthur got up and straightened himself. Susie heard him, and at last she could speak.

"Arthur, what have you done?"

“I’ve killed him," he said hoarsely.

"Oh God, what shall we do?"

Arthur began to laugh aloud, hysterically, and in the darkness his laugh was terrifying.

"For God's sake let us have some light."

"I’ve found the matches," said Dr. Porhoet. He lit the lamp and held it forward. They looked down on the floor to see the man who lay there dead. Susie gave a sudden cry of horror.

There was no one there.

Arthur stepped back in terrified surprise. There was no one in the room, living or dead, except the three friends. Susie's self control left her, and she sobbed as though her heart would break. Arthur took her hand.

"It's all right," he said. "You need not be afraid. We're going now to Skene,"

She sprang up to her feet, as though to get away from him.

"No, I can't. I'm frightened."

"We must see what it means. We have no time to lose, or the morning will be upon us before we get back."

She tried to stop him.

"Oh, for God's sake, don't go, Arthur. Something awful may await you there. Don't risk your life."

"There is no danger. I tell you the man is dead."

"If anything happens to you..."

She stopped, she dared not go on. But he seemed to know what she wanted to say.

"I will take no risk because of you. I know that whether I'll live or die is not a... matter of indifference to you."

She looked up and saw that his eyes were fixed upon her. She flushed.

"I will go with you wherever you like," she said

"Come, then,"

They stepped out into the night. The storm had passed away and the stars were shining. They walked quickly. Arthur went in front of them. Dr. Porhoet and Susie followed him, side by side. It seemed to them that the horror of the night was passed, and the air was wonderfully refreshing. The sky was beautiful. And at last they came to Skene. Haddo's house stood in the blackness of the night and the windows shone out with bright lights.

They walked to the front door and Arthur tried it, but it wouldn't open.

"Will you wait here?" sad he. "I can get through one of the windows, and will let you in "

He left them. They stood quietly there with fast beating hearts, they could not guess what they would see. At last they heard a footstep inside the house, and the door was opened. They stood in a large hall, the floor of which was covered with the skins of lions that Haddo had killed in Africa. The walls were decorated with all kinds of armour from the East and Central Africa. Arthur took down a huge battle-axe and swung it in hishand.

"Now come."

Silently, holding their breath, they went through all the rooms.

"How shall we get to the attics?” asked Arthur looking about him with surprise. "There must be some steps leading out of one of the rooms."

They went back and again examined all the rooms, looking for a door that might lead to a staircase, but there was no sign of it. Presently Arthur gave a little laugh, for he saw that a small door in one of the rooms was concealed by a picture. He pressed it and flung it open. They saw a narrow wooden staircase. They walked up and found themselves in front of a door. Arthur tried it, but it was locked. He smiled grimly.

"Will you get back a little," he said. He lifted his axe and swung it down upon the lock. As they stood there Susie distinctly heard a slight noise. There was something alive on the other side of the door. They heard its curious sound: it was not that of a human voice, it was not the crying of an animal, it was extraordinary.

"Come away, Arthur," whispered Susie. "Come away. Something awful will happen to us."

But Arthur did not listen to her. Quickly, without pausing, he began to break the door with the axe. There was a crash, and the door flung open. They had been so long in almost total darkness that they were blinded for an instant by the bright light. And then instinctively they started back, for, as the door opened, a wave of heat came out upon them so that they could hardly breathe. The place was like an oven.

They entered. The room was lit by huge lamps and warmed by a great furnace. Dr. Porhoet looked at a thermometer and was astonished at the temperature it indicated. The room was used evidently as a laboratory. On broad tables were huge test-tubes, basins of white porcelain and rows of bottles containing great quantities of different chemicals.

The three friends stood in silence. Arthur's gaze travelled slowly from table to table, he wondered what Haddo's experiments had really been. The air was heavy with a strange odour that made them feel sick. Arthur asked himself where it came from. Then his eyes fell on huge glass vessels that stood on the table near the furnace. Each was covered with a white cloth. They hesitated a moment for they knew that here they were face to face with great mystery. At last Arthur pulled away the cloth from one vessel. None of them spoke. They stared with astonished eyes. For here was a monstrous thing in which the limbs approached nearly to the human. The trunk was almost like that of a human child, except that it was of strange red and gray colour. But the most terrible thing was that at the neck it branched hideously, and there were two heads unnaturally large but having all their features. And as the light fell on it the eyes of each head opened slowly. They had no pigment in them, but were red like the eyes of white rabbits, and they stared for a moment with an odd unseeing glance.

Arthur quickly removed the covering from all the other vessels, and they saw something so awful that Susie had to clench her fists in order not to scream.

"Do you understand what this means?" said Dr. Porhoet to Arthur in a trembling voice, "It means that he has discovered the secret of life."

"Was it for these monsters that Margaret was sacrificed in all her loveliness?" said Arthur bitterly. "Do you remember the book of Paracelsus in which he speaks of feeding the monsters he has made on human blood?"

The two men looked at one another with sad terrified eyes.

"Come away," said Dr. Porhoet. "We must not look at this."

"Yes, for God's sake, let us go," said Susie.

"We haven't finished yet," answered Arthur. "We haven’t found the author of all this,"

He looked at the room in which they were but there was no door except that by which they had entered. Then he uttered a frightened cry, and stepping forward fell on his knees.

On the other side of the long tables, concealed by instruments so that at first they had not seen him, Oliver Haddo lay on the floor, dead. His blue eyes were staring wide and they seemed larger than they had ever been. They kept still the expression of terror, which they had worn in the moment of his agony, and his heavy face was distorted with deadly fear.

"I told you that I had killed him," said Arthur.

"Now that you have seen, will you come away?" said Susie interrupting him.

"Yes, we must go quickly."

They turned away and with hurried steps walked through the bright attics till they came to the stairs.

"Now go down and wait for me at the door," said Arthur. "I will follow you immediately."

"What are you going to do?" asked Susie.

"Never mind. Do as I tell you, I have not finished here yet."

They went down the great staircase and waited in the hall. They wondered what Arthur wanted to do. Presently he came running down.

"Be quick," he cried. "We have no time to lose."

"What have you done, Arthur?"

"There's no time to tell you now."

He took Susie's hand. "Now we must run. Come." He dragged her along. Doctor Porhoet hurried on behind them.

They walked very quickly for a while. Now and then Arthur looked back. The night was still quite dark, and the stars shone out in their myriads. At last he stopped.

"Now you can go more slowly," he said.

His voice was different now, it was soft with a good-humour that they had not heard in it for many months. He appeared relieved.

"Let's wait here and see the sun rise," said Susie.

"As you wish."

He put his arm affectionately round her shoulders to support her.

They stood all three of them, and Susie took in deep, joyful breaths of the sweet air of dawn. But she noticed that Arthur, unlike herself and Dr. Porhoet, did not look towards the east. His eyes were fixed upon the place from which they had come. What did he look for in the darkness of the west? She turned round, and a cry broke from her lips, for the shadows there were lurid with a deep red glow.

"It looks like a fire," she said.

"It is. Skene is burning."

Skene was burning. In a little while there would be no trace of all those crimes and all those horrors. Now it was one mass of flame. It looked like some primitive furnace, where the gods worked unheard miracles.

"Arthur, what have you done?"

He did not answer. He put his arm about her shoulders again, so that she had to turn round.

"Look, the sun is rising."

In the east, a long ray of light climbed up the sky, and the sun, yellow and round, appeared upon the face of the earth.

 

 

MAGICIAN

Ch. 9,10

 

1. Memorize the following:

to accept an invitation extraordinary likeness

to give away to shake hands with

to excite attention in spite of..

appeal on smb.'s account

to run the risk of (+N/Ger.) to be involved in...

to be petrified with to feel sick at heart

a keen desire to be in high (low) spirits

astonishment to be grateful to smb. for smth.

to be absorbed in to care for smb.

to be at one's best to regain one's strength

2.Find synonyms to:

to care for smb; to impress, to glance at smb.; to faint; willingly; fo be afraid.

3.Find antonyms to:

to accept an invitation; to lose weight, to step forward; disgust; calm; to get in (a cab, a tram...); willingly.

4.Give combinations with:

extraordinary; eccentric; fantastic; to excite; a look of; a cry of; keen, to be absorbed in

5. Analyze the grammar structure:

1. Margaret hadn't written to her, and she couldn't make herself write to her.

2. Haddo was thought to be involved in occult studies.

3. When he spoke, it was a strange low voice that seemed to come from a long way off.

4. He seemed to enjoy the situation.

5. In fact it was he who introduced me to my wife.

6. He never loved me, he would never have thought of me if he hadn't wanted to hurt you.

7. It isn't I who lied to you and left you and caused you all this unhappiness.

8. Susie's first thought was for Arthur; once she had to break the dreadful news to him.

6.Paraphrase:

I. Her diamonds were the envy of all women.

2. His remark had given him away.

3. You must come by all means.

4. They found themselves face to face with Oliver Haddo.

5. Margaret seemed quite unconscious of the effect she produced.

6.But what most struck her was the change in him.

7. Complete the sentences:

1. She didn’t want to run the risk of seeing them...

2. They knew few English except those who had bad reputations…

3. Besides his duties at the two hospitals…

4. But Susie looked at him with such an appeal...

5. "You are not going to deny that you've loved him..."

6. She spoke hurriedly and nervously...

7. This was the first time that she had ever spoken to anybody...

8. And yet I dо not know what there is in my blood...

9. Nothing had been heard of Oliver Haddo...

8. Find the context for:

to be involved in occult studies; the strongest of her motives; you must come by all means; face to face, petrified with astonishment; a state of complete uncertainty; regain her strength; at the point of death.

9. Expand on the following:

1. In Rome Susie had news of Haddo and his wife.

2. Susie was unable to recognize in her the girl who had been her friend.

3. Susie was terrified at the cnange that had taken place in Arthur.

4. Settling down in а little cottage in Hampshire, Margaret gradually became her former self. She was eager to be set free of Oliver Haddo.

10. Find in the text the proof of the following;

1. The Haddos excited everybody's curiosity on the Riviera.

2. During the supper party given by Doctor Arbuthnot at the Savoy Hotel, Margaret's behaviour was defiant and vulgar.

3. Oliver Haddo had some strong power, a kind of magic spell, over Margaret, who was filled with contradictory feelings towards him.

4. When Margaret left Oliver Haddo, he was able to affect his wife even at a distance.

11. Answer the questions:

1. What news of Haddo and his wife did Susie have in Rome?

2.Why did Susie find herself in Monte Carlo?

3.What was her impression of Margaret when she saw her in the casino?

4. In what way did the Haddos spend their time?

5. What rumours were there about the Haddos, about their occupation, their behaviour and relations?

6. What was actually the reason for Susie's returning to London?

7. What change had taken place in Arthur?

8. Did Arthur work a lot at that time?

9.What was Arthur and Susie's reaction to seeing the Haddos?

10. How did Oliver Haddo and Margaret behave during the supper?

11. Why did Arthur feel uncomfortable?

12. What did Arthur learn when he visited Margaret at the Carlton hotel?

13. What did Arthur hire a cottage for?

14. Describe Margaret's initial state and the change that took place in her.

15. What did Susie think of the influence Oliver had on his wife?

12.Dramatize the dialogue between Arthur and Margaret at the Carlton hotel. (ch. 10) beginning with the words: "You told me I might call upon you", and finishing with "He wants my life".