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Emma Carew was a gentle, aristocratic, and very beautiful woman of twenty. The life she lead would've made any other woman the happiest in the world. She lived in a gorgeous home with a loving father, Sir Danvers Carew, who would give her anything her heart desired, and nearly every man who danced with her, simply touched her hand, or was lucky enough to exchange but a few words fell madly in love with her. That year, however, two suitors had presented themselves. First was Mr. Simon Stride's proposal, which she refused. Following directly after, Dr. Henry Jekyll.
In the eyes of society, Emma was a very foolish woman for rejecting the rich Mr. Stride and passing up all his wealth and power. Why would she, a lady of her social standing, who should have wanted a good name and greater fortune, chose to unite herself with Dr. Jekyll? He wasn't nearly as wealthy as Mr. Stride and most of society had labeled him a "mad scientist." But she fell in love with him regardless of his social ranking and the engagement between the two was announced proudly by Sir Danvers Carew.
Dr. Henry Jekyll had a great obsession with human nature. Rather, the human capacity for sound reasoning and good judgment along with one's equal capacity for choosing poorly and evil motives behind their actions. Then, one occurrence was to seriously altered his life and made his desire to succeed in his chosen profession much stronger than ever before: His father had fallen mentally ill and there was little hope for his recovery other than his son's research. Ever since that day, Dr. Jekyll's life had revolved around his belief that if one could separate the two forces--the good from the evil--then the evil could be controlled and ultimately eliminated.
He had spent a good many years working religiously on a special formula that could make that separation possible. Emma knew of his reasons and supported him with all her heart. Unfortunately, the Board of Governors of St. Judes Hospital had felt differently and rejected his proposal to test the formula on a hospitalized patient.
Sir Danvers Carew was the chairman of the board and Emma hoped that her father might be able to influence the others members, but they made it clear that it was useless to even make an attempt. The others had thought him nothing but a ridiculous, radical individual as well as a severe nuisance. Emma's was heartbroken for him when she heard of the news. She prayed that their upcoming wedding would be capable of pulling his thoughts away from his never-ending problems with his work, but it was not meant to be.
A few weeks after the engagement party, the doctor suddenly became scarce to be seen, even among his closest friends. Some thought he was crazy or having disagreements with his fiancee. Some even suggested that, in hopes of finding someone willing to conduct the experiments, he had become involved with a dangerous sort of people and that it had backfired terribly, resulting at his life being threatened. These were only some of the rumors being spread by the town. Whatever the theories, no one could say for certain what had become of Dr. Henry Jekyll.
Emma had always wished that Henry would have been more open and trusting when it came to his work. Perhaps only then would she comprehend his need to shut himself away. The only thing he ever told her was that his research was taking a heavy toll on him and he needed to be alone. Although she still loved and wanted him in her life; there was nothing she could do to understand his behavior.
Then, one day, Dr. Henry Jekyll seemed to just disappear from sight and no one know where he had gone. He was simply was not at his house, not at the hospital where he worked, and not anywhere at all. Poor Emma was almost sick with fear and worry for him. These past weeks, she had felt alone with her depression. With her beloved Henry on her mind, she was unable to think about anything else and she was desperate to find someone who may have known him for any clue as to where he was.
And so she waited impatiently for the arrival of Miss Isabel Durum. John Utterson, Henry's lawyer, had contacted her with some information after a search on her background. This Isabel Durum was truly related to Henry Jekyll, even if she was only a distant cousin. Then she had told her father about her plans to send for Isabel many weeks ago and send word to Poole the day before to get everything ready for her arrival. Emma may have been consumed by her distress for Henry, but she wanted to make a good impression for his relative. After all, she knew that this woman was to be her cousin as well someday.
Poole, Dr. Jekyll's manservant, was busy preparing lunch for Emma and her guest. She paced back and forth in the parlor room, occasionally glancing out the window to check for her visitor. "Miss Carew, if you keep walking back and forth like that, you are you going to wear marks into the floor." Poole joked.
"I can't help but be a little anxious," she replied, "I wasn't aware the doctor had any relatives left in this world." She stopped her treading, sat down on the couch and picked up the shawl she was knitting. It was a piece of work she began long ago and always busied herself with at difficult times. Pausing a moment, she asked, "Do you know of any other family living in England? Or anywhere else, for that matter?"
"Not to my knowledge, miss. His father never spoke of anyone."
"It's such a shame he died so suddenly. That is the only reason I'm glad Henry isn't here. He's been spared having his heart broken again...for now."
"Yes, miss," he agreed. "I'm sure if his father were alive, he'd know where to find him."
"Well, this cousin is on his mother's side of the family," Emma said as she looped the thread and counted the stitches, "They are not that closely related."
"Ahh, Mrs. Jekyll. I did not know her very well, I'm afraid. But she was a sweet and very pretty thing who unfortunately lived a short life. She was a lot like you, Miss Carew." Emma looked up and smiled when she heard his remark.
"Thank you, Poole," she said sweetly, "Henry never speaks of his mother too often. I don't think he wants to remember her."
"Oh, he remembers. But he's very sensitive when it comes to discussing Mrs. Jekyll so he tries to avoid any talk of her. Afraid of overwhelming emotions, most likely."
Just then there was the sound of the doorbell ringing. "I believe that would be your friend, Miss Carew. I'll send her to the parlor and then I will see to the lunch."" Poole stated before leaving the room to answer the door. As soon as he was gone, Emma put down her needlework and put her hands on her face and began to cry softly.
"Oh, Henry, where are you, my dearest love?" she thought to herself. "I try not to worry.... but sometimes my heart aches for you. I miss the long walks we would take around the park together....I miss you holding me....I miss the sound of your voice....I miss you so much."
Emma sighed, though she had better show less emotion to a guest, and regained her composure. She tried to work on her shawl again but her nerves on edge with anticipation and she was not interested in it now.