rosy man had grown pale; his flesh had fallen away; he was visibly
balder and older; and yet it was not so much these tokens of a swift
physical decay that arrested the lawyer s notice, as a look in the eye
and quality of manner that seemed to testify to some deep-seated terror
of the mind. It was unlikely that the doctor should fear death; and yet
that was what Utterson was tempted to suspect. Yes, he thought; he
is a doctor, he must know his own state and that his days are counted;
and the knowledge is more than he can bear. And yet when Utterson
remarked on his ill looks, it was with an air of great firmness that
Lanyon declared himself a doomed man.
I have had a shock, he said, and I shall never recover. It is a
question of weeks. Well, life has been pleasant; I liked it; yes, sir,
I used to like it. I sometimes think if we knew all, we should be more
glad to get away.
Jekyll is ill, too, observed Utterson. Have you seen him?
But Lanyon s face changed, and he held up a trembling hand. I wish to
see or hear no more of Dr. Jekyll, he said in a loud, unsteady voice.
I am quite done with that person; and I beg that you will spare me any
allusion to one whom I regard as dead.
Tut, tut! said Mr. Utterson; and then after a considerable pause,
Can t I do anything? he inquired. We are three very old friends,
Lanyon; we shall not live to make others.
Nothing can be done, returned Lanyon; ask himself.
He will not see me, said the lawyer.
I am not surprised at that, was the reply. Some day, Utterson, after
I am dead, you may perhaps come to learn the right and wrong of this. I
cannot tell you. And in the meantime, if you can sit and talk with me
of other things, for God s sake, stay and do so; but if you cannot keep
clear of this accursed topic, then in God s name, go, for I cannot bear
it.
As soon as he got home, Utterson sat down and wrote to Jekyll,
complaining of his exclusion from the house, and asking the cause of
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