Read Online Fatal Inheritance by Catherine Shaw - Free Book Online
Authors: Catherine Shaw
Ads: Link
them was familiar to me as one of Mr George Darwin’s brothers; I knew he was also a professor at the university, but could not remember of what subject. The other was a tall, dashing fellow, obviously a foreigner, with striking blonde hair and beard worn in a longer style than is usual hereabouts.
As these gentlemen approached the gate, the Darwin children appeared
en masse
from the stable where they often play, and greeted the newcomers effusively. The youngest one, William, spotted me as he was displaying his prowess to impress the visitors by climbing atop the high wall that separates the Darwin property from the road, and running eagerly back and forth along the top. Though I no longer live next door to them, the children still treat me cordially as a neighbour
‘Mrs Weatherburn!’ Willliam cried out with great enthusiasm, as an additional means of drawing attention to himself. ‘Here’s Uncle Francis and Aunt Ellen with a German for tea! Do come!’
I glanced through the gate, not certain whether an invitation proffered by a six-year-old was to be taken at face value, and encountered the welcoming smile of Mr Darwin’s lovely American wife, who had emerged from the house in her relaxed fashion, without a wrap, to take charge of her unruly brood, two more of whom had now joined their brother atop the wall.
‘Please, do join us if you can,’ she said. ‘Professor Correns must not be kept isolated amongst dons! He ought to meet as many as possible of the ladies of Cambridge as well, don’t you think? Such a different style of conversation!’
My heart leapt at the mention of his name; this was really a stroke of luck, for the satisfaction of my impatience, at least! Arthur being out for tea and the twins with their nanny, I accepted the invitation with pleasure. As I entered, another carriage drew up, and a couple of a certain age stepped out and entered the house behind me. Mrs Darwin’s maid took all the shawls and wraps, and we settled down in front of a roaring fire. Children ran in and out, tea was brought in and poured, various cakes were served, and introductions were made all around.
Professor Francis Darwin, I learnt with some excitement, was a naturalist, and Professor Carl Correns from Tübingen his guest in Cambridge!
‘I am very honoured to meet you,’ the eminent professor said to me in that respectful and somewhat weighty tone that a German accent always appears to lend to the English language.
‘And I to meet you,’ I said with an enthusiasm that he probably found surprising. ‘My husband was at your lecture on heredity, and what he told me has made me very eager to meet you and learn more about it.’
‘So, you have a scientific mind?’ he answered pleasantly. ‘It is something of a rarity to meet a woman with true scientific curiosity in the tradition of old, such as the legendary Marquise du Châtelet.’
‘I am honoured by the comparison!’ I laughed. ‘I have heard about the marquise, who brought the discoveries of Newton to the scientists of the French court. It is said that she studied day and night. I only wish I possessed such capacities!’
‘Yet you are interested by the sciences, and perhaps often like to meet and discuss with the scientists who work or visit the university?’
‘Yes, well,’ I said. ‘I do get very curious about some of the discoveries I learn of through my husband. I admit to a certain interest, even if my understanding must necessarily remain superficial. But I was particularly intrigued by what my husband described to me of your lecture. I must say that heredity is a topic that fascinates me deeply. However, he was only able to tell me just enough to whet my appetite for more, without giving satisfactory answers to any of my questions.’
‘Perhaps I can do better,’ responded Professor Correns with delighted gallantry. ‘At any rate, I am quite ready to try, and where I fail, my colleagues will certainly help me.’
Mrs Darwin was
As these gentlemen approached the gate, the Darwin children appeared
en masse
from the stable where they often play, and greeted the newcomers effusively. The youngest one, William, spotted me as he was displaying his prowess to impress the visitors by climbing atop the high wall that separates the Darwin property from the road, and running eagerly back and forth along the top. Though I no longer live next door to them, the children still treat me cordially as a neighbour
‘Mrs Weatherburn!’ Willliam cried out with great enthusiasm, as an additional means of drawing attention to himself. ‘Here’s Uncle Francis and Aunt Ellen with a German for tea! Do come!’
I glanced through the gate, not certain whether an invitation proffered by a six-year-old was to be taken at face value, and encountered the welcoming smile of Mr Darwin’s lovely American wife, who had emerged from the house in her relaxed fashion, without a wrap, to take charge of her unruly brood, two more of whom had now joined their brother atop the wall.
‘Please, do join us if you can,’ she said. ‘Professor Correns must not be kept isolated amongst dons! He ought to meet as many as possible of the ladies of Cambridge as well, don’t you think? Such a different style of conversation!’
My heart leapt at the mention of his name; this was really a stroke of luck, for the satisfaction of my impatience, at least! Arthur being out for tea and the twins with their nanny, I accepted the invitation with pleasure. As I entered, another carriage drew up, and a couple of a certain age stepped out and entered the house behind me. Mrs Darwin’s maid took all the shawls and wraps, and we settled down in front of a roaring fire. Children ran in and out, tea was brought in and poured, various cakes were served, and introductions were made all around.
Professor Francis Darwin, I learnt with some excitement, was a naturalist, and Professor Carl Correns from Tübingen his guest in Cambridge!
‘I am very honoured to meet you,’ the eminent professor said to me in that respectful and somewhat weighty tone that a German accent always appears to lend to the English language.
‘And I to meet you,’ I said with an enthusiasm that he probably found surprising. ‘My husband was at your lecture on heredity, and what he told me has made me very eager to meet you and learn more about it.’
‘So, you have a scientific mind?’ he answered pleasantly. ‘It is something of a rarity to meet a woman with true scientific curiosity in the tradition of old, such as the legendary Marquise du Châtelet.’
‘I am honoured by the comparison!’ I laughed. ‘I have heard about the marquise, who brought the discoveries of Newton to the scientists of the French court. It is said that she studied day and night. I only wish I possessed such capacities!’
‘Yet you are interested by the sciences, and perhaps often like to meet and discuss with the scientists who work or visit the university?’
‘Yes, well,’ I said. ‘I do get very curious about some of the discoveries I learn of through my husband. I admit to a certain interest, even if my understanding must necessarily remain superficial. But I was particularly intrigued by what my husband described to me of your lecture. I must say that heredity is a topic that fascinates me deeply. However, he was only able to tell me just enough to whet my appetite for more, without giving satisfactory answers to any of my questions.’
‘Perhaps I can do better,’ responded Professor Correns with delighted gallantry. ‘At any rate, I am quite ready to try, and where I fail, my colleagues will certainly help me.’
Mrs Darwin was
Similar Books
