Lady Audley’s Secret

Robert arrives in London but has to wait a long time to get his luggage. When he finally leaves the train platform, he runs into Lady Audley, who is rushing to catch a train. Robert puzzles at her wretched, helpless appearance, very different from her usually pleasant, cheerful demeanor. Lady Audley explains that she came to town to settle a large bill she did not want her husband to know about. She leaves, but Robert still questions why she really came to London.

Robert returns to his apartment to find everything in order, with no dust on his portmanteau or his trunk. He calls for his housekeeper, Mrs. Maloney, and asks her if anyone has been here. Mrs. Maloney says just the blacksmith that Robert had ordered to fix a broken lock. Robert did not order a blacksmith, however, and thinks Mrs. Maloney must be drunk. Robert asks if the blacksmith was ever left alone in his apartment. Mrs. Maloney says he was but only briefly.

Robert goes to see the blacksmith, who appears to be having a celebration with his family, complete with fine wine. He is in the middle of a story about a woman who “walked off, as graceful as you please.” The blacksmith tells Robert that he mistook another customer’s name and address for his and thus came by accident. Robert remarks on the oddness of the blacksmith’s excuse and leaves. He wonders about the story the blacksmith was telling before Robert approached.

Robert returns home while contemplating how the mystery of George’s disappearance seems to be circling closer and closer to Robert’s family. He eats his dinner, lamenting that he has not had a good dinner at Fig-tree Court since George disappeared.