Two weeks later, good fortune gave Dr. Jekyll the perfect opportunity to entertain Mr. Utterson.
He invited five or six old friends to dinner. They were all respectable, intelligent gentlemen who knew good wine when they tasted it.
As usual, Utterson stayed behind after the others had left.
This was nothing unusual. It had happened many times before.
People who liked Utterson tended to like him a great deal. Once the cheerful, talkative guests had gone, their hosts often wanted to keep the quiet lawyer around a little longer.
There was something comforting about sitting with him in silence. After an evening of laughter and conversation, his calm presence helped people settle their minds.
Dr. Jekyll was no different.
Now he sat across from Utterson beside the fire. He was a large, well-built man of about fifty, with a smooth face and a slightly sly look in his eyes. Yet there was intelligence and kindness in his expression.
It was obvious that he felt a deep and genuine affection for Utterson.
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you, Jekyll,” Utterson began.
“You know that will of yours?”
A careful observer might have noticed that the subject made the doctor uncomfortable.
But Jekyll quickly smiled and tried to laugh it off.
“My poor Utterson,” he said. “You really have been cursed with an unfortunate client.”
“I’ve never seen anyone so troubled by my will as you were.”
“Unless, perhaps, it was that stubborn old scholar, Lanyon, when he heard what he called my scientific nonsense.”
“Oh, I know he’s a good man. Don’t give me that look.”
“He’s an excellent fellow, and I always tell myself I should spend more time with him.”
“But he’s still a narrow-minded old pedant. An ignorant, loud-mouthed pedant.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been so disappointed in a man as I was in Lanyon.”
“You know I’ve never approved of your will,” Utterson said, refusing to be distracted.
“My will?”
“Yes, of course. I know that.”
“You’ve told me often enough.”
“Well, I’m telling you again,” Utterson continued.
“I’ve learned something about young Mr. Hyde.”
The color drained from Dr. Jekyll’s handsome face.
Even his lips went pale, and a dark look appeared around his eyes.
“I don’t want to hear anything more,” he said.
“I thought we had agreed to leave that matter alone.”
“What I heard was horrible,” Utterson replied.
“It doesn’t change anything.”
“You don’t understand my situation,” Jekyll said.
His voice had become uneasy and confused.
“I’m in a very difficult position, Utterson. A very strange one.”
“It’s one of those situations that cannot be fixed simply by talking about it.”
“Jekyll, you know me,” Utterson said.
“You know I can be trusted.”
“Tell me everything in confidence.”
“I’m sure I can find a way to get you out of this.”
“My dear Utterson,” Jekyll said.
“That is very kind of you. More than kind, really.”
“I don’t know how to thank you.”
“I believe you completely. I would trust you before any other man alive.”
“Indeed, if I had to choose someone to trust, I might even trust you before I trusted myself.”
“But this isn’t what you think.”
“It isn’t as bad as you imagine.”
“And, just to put your mind at ease, let me tell you one thing.”
“The moment I decide to do it, I can get rid of Mr. Hyde.”
“I give you my word.”
“And I thank you again and again for your concern.”
“There is just one thing more, Utterson, and I’m sure you’ll understand.”
“This is a private matter.”
“I beg you to leave it alone.”
“Let it rest.”
Utterson sat quietly for a moment, staring into the fire.
“I have no doubt that you know what you’re doing,” he said at last.
He stood up.
“But since we’ve already started talking about this—and I hope this will be the last time—there is one thing I want you to understand,” Jekyll continued.
“I have a very strong concern for poor Mr. Hyde.”
“I know you’ve met him. He told me so.”
“And I’m afraid he was rude to you.”
“But I truly care about that young man.”
“I care about him very deeply.”
“If something happens to me, Utterson, I want you to promise me something.”
“If I’m no longer here, please be patient with Hyde.”
“And make sure he receives whatever he has a right to receive.”
“I believe you would do it if you knew the whole story.”
“And knowing that you had promised would take a great weight off my mind.”
“I can’t promise that I’ll ever like him,” Utterson said.
“I’m not asking you to like him,” Jekyll pleaded.
He reached out and placed a hand on Utterson’s arm.
“I’m only asking you to treat him fairly.”
“I’m only asking you to help him for my sake, when I’m no longer here.”
Utterson let out a deep, helpless sigh.
“Well,” he said, “I promise.”