CHAPTER VI

von Wilkie Collins

(1) “Miss Clack sends her regards to Mr. Franklin Blake. In sharing the fifth chapter of her humble story, she feels unable to elaborate as much as she would like on the tragic event of Lady Verinder’s death. Therefore, she has included extensive excerpts from valuable publications in her possession, all related to this dreadful subject. Miss Clack sincerely hopes these excerpts resonate like the sound of a trumpet to her esteemed relative, Mr. Franklin Blake.”

(2) “Mr. Franklin Blake acknowledges Miss Clack’s letter and thanks her for the fifth chapter of her narrative. While returning the excerpts she provided, he will refrain from expressing any personal objections he may have to this type of literature. He simply wishes to state that the proposed additions to the manuscript are unnecessary for the purpose he has in mind.”

(3) “Miss Clack would like to acknowledge the return of her excerpts. She kindly reminds Mr. Franklin Blake that as a Christian, it is impossible for him to offend her. Miss Clack continues to feel a deep concern for Mr. Blake and promises that the next time illness befalls him, she will offer him the use of her excerpts once again. In the meantime, she would appreciate knowing if she may enhance her humble contribution by incorporating the insights gained from recent discoveries regarding the mystery of the Moonstone before she begins the final chapters of her narrative.”

(4) “Mr. Franklin Blake regrets to disappoint Miss Clack. He can only reiterate the instructions he provided when she began her narrative. She is asked to focus solely on her personal experiences with people and events, as recorded in her diary. Any later discoveries should be left to those who can write as actual witnesses.”

(5) “Miss Clack is very sorry to trouble Mr. Franklin Blake with yet another letter. Her excerpts have been returned, and she has been forbidden to express her thoughts on the Moonstone. Miss Clack is painfully aware that she should feel, as the world would say, put down. But no—Miss Clack has learned perseverance through adversity. Her reason for writing is to find out if Mr. Blake, who prohibits everything else, also forbids the inclusion of this correspondence in her narrative. Some explanation of the position Mr. Blake’s interference has put her in as an author seems only fair. Miss Clack is eager for her letters to be allowed to speak for themselves.”

(6) “Mr. Franklin Blake agrees to Miss Clack’s request, on the condition that she understands this response will conclude their correspondence.”

(7) “Before their correspondence officially ends, Miss Clack feels it is her Christian duty to inform Mr. Franklin Blake that his last letter—clearly intended to offend her—has failed to achieve its goal. She kindly asks Mr. Blake to retreat to the privacy of his own room and reflect on whether the strength that allows a fragile woman to rise above insult deserves more admiration than he currently feels. Upon receiving confirmation of this, Miss Clack solemnly pledges to return the complete series of her excerpts to Mr. Franklin Blake.”

[No response was received to this letter. Commentary is unnecessary.

(Signed) DRUSILLA CLACK.]