Lady Audley's Secret

Robert finds the Castle Inn to be a far cry from the luxury of Audley Court but sufficient nonetheless. In the kitchen, Phoebe summons a village boy to deliver a message to Lady Audley. Once he has gone, Phoebe thinks to herself that if there is anything untoward about Robert’s visit then Lady Audley will know about it.

Phoebe then asks Robert how things are at the Court. Robert, in turn, asks what Lady Audley used to be like, when she was Lucy Graham. He observes that Phoebe would be good in a witness box, as she can clearly keep a secret.

When the inn’s punters have left, Robert talks to Luke. Phoebe insists they put the bar up across the brewhouse door, but Luke knows that she is trying to stop him talking to Robert. He and Robert resume their discussion: Robert asks what it is like living at Mount Stanning, and Luke says that it is not the best place but, “What’s fifty pound, or what's a hundred pound—?” Phoebe tries to interrupt but Luke ignores her. Robert responds to Luke while looking directly at Phoebe: “What, indeed, is a hundred pounds to a man possessed of the power which you hold, or rather which your wife holds, over the person in question?” (120). Phoebe is virtually colorless.

The next morning, Lady Audley arrives at the inn and Robert mutters, “A false move, my lady, and one I never looked for from you” (121). Lady Audley feels that she owes him an apology. She says that he was welcome at the Court until her husband foolishly decided that Robert’s presence was dangerous for his delicate wife. Robert, however, says that perhaps it would have been better if he had never entered the Court. Lady Audley looks alarmed, but Robert says that she should not mistake this as an emotional statement; rather, it carries “a more solemn meaning” (122). Lady Audley responds that she cannot reply to such statements.

Lady Audley asks what prompted Robert to stay at such a “dismal place” (122), and he replies that it was curiosity. Specifically, he finds Luke to be dangerous and would not like to be under his power. Lady Audley’s expression changes and she asks what she has done to make Robert hate her. He replies that he has lost a dear friend; moreover, he does not believe that George has gone to Australia.

Robert tells Lady Audley about the missing persons advertisements that he has posted, and Lady Audley asks what will happen if he receives no response. He replies that he will know that his fears are well-founded and will do his best to act. Still, he realizes that he is ultimately powerless. He adds that crime is everywhere and that “Foul deeds have been done under the most hospitable roofs” (124).

When Lady Audley suggests that he should have become a police officer, Robert says that he sometimes thinks that he would have made a good one, due to his patience.

Returning to the topic of George, Robert says that if he does not receive a reply to his advertisements, he will conclude that George is dead. He will then examine the items that his friend left at the apartment; including letters from his wife. Lady Audley asks if Robert has ever seen these letters, and he replies that he has not, though he is familiar with Lady Audley’s handwriting.

After the Lady has departed, Robert remains to watch the empty coach return the inn and asks the driver whether he has taken her to the Court. He replies that she is heading to London. Robert proceeds to follow her and has a good idea of where she will be.

When Robert arrives in Shoreditch he decides to walk to the other side of the railway station. There, Lady Audley runs into him and is surprised to find him in London already. She asks Robert to open the carriage door for her and he notices her confidence. He wonders what has caused this change.

Lady Audley says that Robert must think her foolish for traveling without her husband’s knowledge, but she had to settle a milliner’s bill. She says that she cannot bear to suffer in her husband’s thoughts, and Robert replies, “Heaven forbid.” She looks at him defiantly and says, “Heaven forbid it, indeed” (127).

After her train has departed, Robert concludes that the Lady managed to accomplish whatever goal brought her to London. Still, he is aggravated that he cannot ascertain her motive.

Returning to his chambers, he asks the landlady if anyone has asked for the key to his rooms. She replies that the only visitor was the blacksmith. Robert does not know anything about this, and the landlady tells him that a man had asked for the key. He declared that he was acting on Robert’s orders, and the landlady had believed him. She reassures Robert that nothing has been stolen, and Robert asks for the man’s address.

Robert finds the locksmith, who is startled. He claims that he was sent to another gentleman’s chambers but got the names mixed up; however, when he saw that the locks in Robert’s chambers were in working order, he realized his mistake. Robert asks why he had stayed for half an hour if this was the case, and he replies that one lock was out of order.

Robert remarks that the locksmith’s family seem to be reaping the fruits of his success, stating, “You've done a good stroke of work to-day, I'll wager—made a lucky hit” (131). The locksmith stammers nervously, but Robert says that he does not need to apologize.

Back at the chambers, Robert mulls over a comment he heard the locksmith make: “with that she walked off as graceful as you please” (132). To whom was he referring?