The place at first sight had no distinctive character: great ingenuity
had been used to secure the inmates without seeming to incarcerate
them. There were no bars to the lower front windows, and the side
windows, with their defenses, were shrouded by shrubs. The sentinels
were out of sight, or employed on some occupation or other, but within
call. Some patients were playing at cricket; some ladies looking on;
others strolling on the gravel with a nurse, dressed very much like
themselves, who did not obtrude her functions unnecessarily. All was
apparent indifference, and Argus-eyed vigilance. So much for the
surface.
Of course, even at this moment, some of the locked rooms had violent
and miserable inmates.
The hall door opened as the carriage drew up; a respectable servant
came forward.
Lady Bassett handed him her card, and said, "I am come to see my
husband, sir."
The man never moved a muscle, but said, "You must wait, if you please,
till I take your card in."
He soon returned, and said, "Dr. Suaby is not here, but the gentleman
in charge will see you."
Lady Bassett got out, and, beckoning Mary Wells, followed the servant
into a curious room, half library, half chemist's shop; they called it
"the laboratory."
Here she found a tall man leaning on a dirty mantelpiece, who received
her stiffly.
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