Isabella meets Alice

Dr Jekyll had received a letter from a gentleman of small fortune in Lancashire, which he had been trying not to think about for some days.

The writer was an enthusiast in science and began with great compliments about the Society, saying he believed firmly in the potential science had to do good in the world and greatly admired what Dr Jekyll was trying to do. So far, so good.

He had a daughter living in London who he said took "a great interest in new scientific developments", and proposed that she should come to study with them, and that he would contribute £100 towards the Society's funds to help them continue their valuable work.

Dr Jekyll had written a polite response amounting to Yes to the money and No to the daughter, pleading lack of space. But this, it appeared, would not do; his correspondent insisted on both or neither. He added that the young lady would be lodging elsewhere, and not sleeping in the house. Dr Jekyll paused at this. It was undeniable that not having to find a room for another person would make a difference, given the number of people staying at the moment - the extra room could be kept free for the next emergency who might turn up. More importantly, he thought, in that case she needn't see anything that needed to be kept private.**

''Might be too much for her delicate nerves,'' said a small, sarcastic voice at the back of his mind.

''Be quiet, you. Anyway, it's an opportunity to spread scientific awareness - that's what the Society was started for.''

''She probably knows nothing about it at all. Just wants to be in the fashion. You've been giggled at by enough of those now to know what you're in for. Admit it, it's got nothing to do with scientific awareness and everything to do with a hundred pounds.''

After a brief and curiously vicious argument with himself, Dr Jekyll wrote to agree to the girl coming, and spent the next day trying to forget about it.

* * *

One week later, Miss Isabella Walker was standing looking up at the gorgeous Palladian porch of the Society for Arcane Sciences.

"Fine place, eh, Bell?" her father said at her elbow.

She nodded.

"Are you going to let that put you off?"

"No." Miss Walker tried to put her hat on straighter.

"Good girl." He knocked at the door and waited.

'''Hyde without a Jekyll:'''*Alice had just returned from the kitchen, replacing the many steaks she had eaten during a... previous incident, when she heard the knock at the door. She cautiously approached the large doors but as it was still light outside, this was likely to be good news rather than another problem. She placed her goggles, scarf, and top hat back on as to prevent any unwanted attention that could find her at a later date. Carefully she opened the door and in her most polite voice she greeted the duo.* Hello!

Wizardblizzard:  The man quirks an eyebrow at the bizarre-looking little figure in front of them, but something indefinable about its appearance warns him not to laugh. He makes a bow. "Hello. My name is Andrew Walker, this is my daughter Isabella. Fellow followers of science visiting the Society. I sent a letter a week or so ago. May we come in?"

'''Hyde without a Jekyll:'''  Yes! Of course! *She steps back allowing the pair to enter.* Who do you call upon?

Wizardblizzard:  "Nobody in particular, I don't think," says Isabella. "Or rather, anybody who wants to call upon me, I suppose. The idea is I'm to visit and study here in a manner of speaking; compare notes, you know. I'm hoping some of your scientists might be able to shed some light on some problems I've been working on, and hopefully I can be some help to them, too." She fished in her pocket and brought out a letter in Dr Jekyll's handwriting, which she showed to Alice. "No, I thought not, no names mentioned, and Dr Jekyll himself said he probably wouldn't be here." ''...in that case we will be delighted for Miss Walker to visit us here. My apologies again for being unable to have her to stay overnight, but all our rooms are occupied at present; besides, I doubt if she would find the accommodation to her taste. If as you say the young lady is interested in the studies of psychology and chemistry, I believe several of our members are working on projects which might be of interest to her, and we will be delighted to see any work of her own. Thank you once again for your generous subscription. Please let me know when to expect your arrival. I remain, Your obedient Servant, Dr Henry Jekyll. ''"I suppose we'd better... um..." She shakes her head, frowning. "We seem to have planned this badly. I suppose it would have made more sense to arrive for a meal and meet people then. I suppose at this hour everyone will be busy working, and I honestly don't know who I should look for. But here we are." With a rather exasperated look at her father, she turns back to the top-hatted girl - at least, from its voice she's assuming it's a girl. "What do you think we should do?" Wizardblizzard:  "I really don't know." She fishes inside her muff and brings out a letter in Dr Jekyll's writing, which she shows to Alice; no, as she thought, no names mentioned. ''...if as you say Miss Walker is interested in the study of psychology I believe she might be interested by the work of some of our members.'' "I don't know if that rings any bells."

Obtained From
Introduction, Miss Isabella Walker