Bernard Capes

Name: The Skeleton Key — Chapter 16
Author: Bernard Capes

The Skeleton Key — Chapter 16 (1919)

Summary

“The Skeleton Key — Chapter 16”, published in 1919, is a work by Bernard Capes. It explores elements such as Cleghorn, Hughie and rack.

Quotes from The Skeleton Key — Chapter 16 (Bernard Capes)

Bernard Capes, The Skeleton Key — Chapter 16 (1919)

“ The father laughed; it wrung one to hear him, and to see his face.
'One of your judges, Hughie,' he said, wheezing hilariously—'old Crosson; you know him—told me not to lose heart—that appearances weren't always to be trusted. He ought to know, eh, after three attempts?'
'I wanted you just to hear me say,' said the other hurriedly, 'that I'm glad it's come—not the way it has, but the truth. I've behaved like a blackguard, sir, and it's been weighing on me; you don't know how it's been weighing. It's been making my life hell for some little time past. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Bernard Capes, The Skeleton Key — Chapter 16 (1919)

“ What was the true thought in his heart? faith scornful and triumphant, or some secret misgiving? Who could tell? Perhaps for the first time some doubts as to his own qualifications as a father were beginning to move in him, some tragic self-searching for the seed of what might or might not be in this 'fruit of his blood.' The day stole by on hushed wings; a sense of still fatality brooded over the house. The voiceless, almost unpeopled quiet told upon my nerves, and kept me wandering, aimless and solitary, from room to room. Near evening, Audrey was sent for by her father. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Bernard Capes, The Skeleton Key — Chapter 16 (1919)

“ We want no absolution on sufferance—eh, Hughie, my boy?'
'No, sir, no. You will see that I am properly advised as to the best way to go to clear myself. Thank God my mother isn't alive!'
It was said with the first shadow of a break in his voice, and the General could not stand it. He gave a little gasp, and turned away, his fingers working at his moustache.
'She'll see to it, Hughie,' he said indistinctly, 'that—that it's all made right. There was never a more truth-loving woman in the world. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Bernard Capes, The Skeleton Key — Chapter 16 (1919)

“ I only want to be prepared against all contingencies.'
'Amongst which, I suppose, is the Baron's wicked attempt to exculpate himself to me, by encouraging my suspicions against Hughie?' She laughed, with a sort of defiant sob in her voice. 'I'll tell you what I truly think: that he is a better friend to my brother than you are; and I hope he'll come back soon; and, when he does, I shall go on listening to and believing in him, as I do think I believe in no one else. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Bernard Capes, The Skeleton Key — Chapter 16 (1919)

“ I was hardly accountable for what I said in those days: a man hardly is, you know, when he's on the rack.'
'O! I forgive you,' I answered. 'There's a virtue sometimes in pretending to a thick skin——' and we parted on good terms.
My journey to London was arranged for the morrow after the interview. I had one of my passages with Audrey before going. I don't know what particular prejudice it was the girl cherished against me, but she would never let us be friends. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Bernard Capes, The Skeleton Key — Chapter 16 (1919)

“ I would keep all my suspicions and theories to myself until I could confide them to the ear of the Counsel engaged on Hugo's behalf.
In the meantime some relief from the moral stagnation of Wildshott had become apparent with the opening of the day succeeding the inquiry. That deadly lethargy which had followed the first stunning blow was in part shaken off, and the household, though in hushed vein, began to resume its ordinary duties. Sir Calvin himself reappeared, white and drawn, but showing no disposition to suffer commiseration in any form, or any relaxation from his iron discipline. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Bernard Capes, The Skeleton Key — Chapter 16 (1919)

“ If his admission as to his first emotion on learning of his release might repel some people, I can only plead that one man's psychology, like one man's meat, may be impossible of digestion by another. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Bernard Capes, The Skeleton Key — Chapter 16 (1919)

“ She must be made honest—my wife—or she would kill herself, she said. I believe in the end I should have married her, if—Viv., old man, I loved that girl, I loved her God knows with what passion; yet, I tell you, my first emotion on discovering her dead was one of horrible relief. Call me an inhuman beast, if you will. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Bernard Capes, The Skeleton Key — Chapter 16 (1919)

“ I had been on a hellish rack, and was suddenly off it, and the momentary sensation was beyond my own control. Does the admission seem to blacken the case against me? I believe I know you better than to think so. I'm only accounting in a way for my behaviour on the night of the—the——. Why, all the time, at the bottom of my soul, I was crying on my dead darling to come back to me, that I could not live without her. O, Viv.! why is it made so difficult for some men to go straight?'
He paused a moment, his head leaned down on his hands, which held on to the bars. ”

Bernard Capes

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Quotes from The Skeleton Key — Chapter 16 (Bernard Capes)

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