Dear Carfax,

It gave me great pleasure to see you on Thursday – albeit a pleasure which I would rather have enjoyed under more auspicious circumstances. The difficulties of your situation inspire my deepest sympathy.

I undertook to write you my honest opinion, and so I shall set it out.

To gain an estimation of your wife’s character on so short an acquaintance is next to impossible, and she is of the taciturn nature that yields precious little fruit even to the keenest observer. I could detect nothing of incipient insanity other than that she appeared to watch me suspiciously, and served me a peculiarly bony piece of fish.

I have no doubt in the veracity of your claims about her violence, nor in our ability to confine her, should we choose. However, we must question whether it is the best course of action for either you or Mrs Carfax’s kin.

Your scruples, I fully comprehend, arise from what became of your patient Mrs B, and do you credit. I doubt there ever was such a regrettable case as hers, although I will maintain that none of the fault can lie at your door. Mrs Carfax does not strike me as similar in the slightest degree; I cannot comprehend her innocence being taken advantage of by unprincipled attendants, nor her refusing sustenance to the point of being force-fed. I could furnish you with details of two or three private establishments I have visited personally and found the inmates to be treated with the utmost respect. However, as you say, one is obliged to surrender a degree of control to another physician, and the fee for doing so is not inconsiderable.

My own inclination would be to agree to the proposed separation in an informal capacity. If Mrs Carfax has family who are willing to receive her and the boy, it is all to the good. Provide her with an ample allowance and wash your hands of the matter. Whatever high terms she proposes, you will in all likelihood still find yourself in a better position, both financially and with regards to your good name, than you would should you choose to commit her to an institution.

Having said thus much, I hope there is no need to assure you of my full support and assistance, whatever resolution you should arrive at. I remain, Carfax, your sincere well-wisher &c,

T Dudfield

A ripple passes over her, like wind moving across a lake. She puts the letter down.

She knew nothing of this. Simon never told her he had seriously contemplated having Constance committed.

Morpheus sighs and flumps down beside her feet.

What could have prompted it? What did Constance finally do, that was too much? She remembers the dead dogs, Simon’s anguish.