Lady Audley’s Secret

Bewildered, Robert travels back to England. He wonders if and how he will tell Sir Michael that the woman his uncle once loved is a murderer. He agonizes over what to do, because if George’s remains are found on Audley Court’s grounds, the police will investigate and bring disgrace onto the Audley family. Even so, Robert knows he must give his friend a proper burial.

Robert arrives in London and goes to the hotel Sir Michael and Alicia were staying at, only to discover that they have left for Vienna. He goes back to his apartment and finds letters from Sir Michael, Alicia, and Clara. Alicia’s letter says she called a doctor to examine her unusually quiet father, and the doctor suggested they take a vacation. Sir Michael’s letter offers Robert whatever money needed to deal with a certain woman, provided that Robert never mentions her to him again, a request which relieves Robert.

Clara’s letter states that Luke is in failing health and both he and Phoebe wish to see Robert before Luke dies. Robert smokes his pipe and has pleasant dreams of Clara, but when the dreams fade, he faces the horrible reality of having to go back to Essex. He dreads telling Clara the truth about George and decides it’s better for her to falsely hope for her brother’s return.

While he waits for the next train to Essex, Robert contemplates how much his life has changed in a year and a half. He used to care for nothing but his idle hobbies, and now he has felt both love and tragedy. He wonders how Clara would react if he told her his life found new purpose in solving George’s case, and he finds an even stronger purpose in his love for her. He thinks if he told her how much he loves her, she would only pity him. He can’t hope for anything while he is still haunted by George’s murdered body.

Robert paces back and forth. He has no interest in smoking alone and feels alienated from all his old friends, who only care for pleasure and wouldn’t understand the horrors he’s been through. Finally, Robert leaves for the train, although in his fragile mental state he fears George’s ghost invading his empty apartment. The narrator argues one would naturally have such delusions after experiencing the trauma Robert has.

Robert takes a carriage to the train station but still feels pursued by George’s ghost. He knows the only way to ease his mind is to give George a proper burial, even if it means bringing Lady Audley back to England for a criminal trial. Robert thinks the late-night journey is dreary, but he will do anything Clara asks of him.

Robert arrives in Mount Stanning, where the wind blows on the charred remains of the Castle Inn. Robert goes to Mr. Dawson, because the doctor has been caring for Luke since the fire. Mr. Dawson leads him to the cottage where Luke lies. He tells Robert that Luke is dying of shock, partly due to his already failing health as a result of his alcoholism.

Through the cottage window, Robert sees Luke’s wife and mother watching over him. Robert waits while Mr. Dawson tends to Luke. He listens to the dismal ticking of the living room clock. Finally, Mr. Dawson returns stating that Luke is ready to see him.

Phoebe watches Luke, fearing death itself but not the loss of her husband. Phoebe has made the room around the dying man neat and orderly. Phoebe tries to speak to Robert alone but Luke objects, saying he wants to undo any trouble he’s caused.

Phoebe takes Robert aside and says Luke doesn’t remember anything of the night of the fire, but resents Lady Audley for not buying them a better inn. She asks if Lady Audley is gone from Audley Court forever, and if she will be treated well wherever she is now. Robert answers yes. Phoebe says she still cares about Lady Audley, since the lady was kind to her.

Luke demands to speak to Robert alone. Phoebe agrees, but tells him not to say anything against “those that have been good and generous” to him. Luke, still filled with his old, brutal spirit, says he’ll say whatever he wants. Robert sits at Luke’s bedside and Luke thanks him for saving his life.

Luke mentions he heard from the Audleys’ servants that Robert was very fond of the man who disappeared at Court. Robert tells him not to speak anymore of George because Lady Audley already told him what happened. Luke asks what exactly Lady Audley said. Robert tells him to stop talking about George, since Lady Audley paid Luke to keep quiet. Luke says he has a secret Lady Audley didn’t know.

Luke pauses, clearly suffering from a fever. Robert thinks about what he will do now that he knows George is dead. He knows if he sees Clara again, he will be compelled to tell the horrible truth—and that if he tells her, her life will be ruined, or else she will want George’s body removed from its unmarked grave. He feels distraught, knowing no one, especially not Clara, cares for him in his despair.