Chapter 7:
Incident at the Window

It chanced on Sunday, when Mr. Utterson was on his usual walk with Mr. Enfield, that their way lay once again through the by-street; and that when they came in front of the door, both stopped to gaze on it.

"Well," said Enfield, "that story's at an end at least. We

shall never see more of Mr. Hyde."

"I hope not," said Utterson. "Did I ever tell you that I once

saw him, and shared your feeling of repulsion?"

"It was impossible to do the one without the other," returned

Enfield. "And by the way, what an ass you must have thought me,

not to know that this was a back way to Dr. Jekyll's! It was

partly your own fault that I found it out, even when I did."

"So you found it out, did you?" said Utterson. "But if that

be so, we may step into the court and take a look at the windows.

To tell you the truth, I am uneasy about poor Jekyll; and even

outside, I feel as if the presence of a friend might do him good."

The court was very cool and a little damp, and full of

premature twilight, although the sky, high up overhead, was still

bright with sunset. The middle one of the three windows was

half-way open; and sitting close beside it, taking the air with an

infinite sadness of mien, like some disconsolate prisoner,

Utterson saw Dr. Jekyll.

"What! Jekyll!" he cried. "I trust you are better."

"I am very low, Utterson," replied the doctor drearily, "very

low. It will not last long, thank God."

"You stay too much indoors," said the lawyer. "You should be

out, whipping up the circulation like Mr. Enfield and me. (This

is my cousin—Mr. Enfield—Dr. Jekyll.) Come now; get your

hat and take a quick turn with us."

"You are very good," sighed the other. "I should like to very

much; but no, no, no, it is quite impossible; I dare not. But

indeed, Utterson, I am very glad to see you; this is really a

great pleasure; I would ask you and Mr. Enfield up, but the place

is really not fit."

"Why, then," said the lawyer, good-naturedly, "the best thing

we can do is to stay down here and speak with you from where we

are."

"That is just what I was about to venture to propose,"

returned the doctor with a smile. But the words were hardly

uttered, before the smile was struck out of his face and succeeded

by an expression of such abject terror and despair, as froze the

very blood of the two gentlemen below. They saw it but for a

glimpse for the window was instantly thrust down; but that glimpse

had been sufficient, and they turned and left the court without a

word. In silence, too, they traversed the by-street; and it was

not until they had come into a neighbouring thoroughfare, where

even upon a Sunday there were still some stirrings of life, that

Mr. Utterson at last turned and looked at his companion. They

were both pale; and there was an answering horror in their eyes.

"God forgive us, God forgive us," said Mr. Utterson.

But Mr. Enfield only nodded his head very seriously, and

walked on once more in silence.