Harry Lorrimer is the seventh story from the compilation called MIST and other stories by Richmal Crompton.
Synopsis
It is Gregson, who we meet during his time on holiday at Framebridge, who tells us this tale of possession. He has been told of good fishing at Framebridge, but realises that this isn't the case. Coming across a wonderful inn, but the name of Barley Mow, he decides to stay the week anyway, rather than return to London.
On one of his walks he comes across an old friend from college, Harry Lorrimer, who invites him to dinner at his home, Framebrodge Manor. While Gregson readily agrees, he then spends hime back at Barley Mow feeling "vaguely disturbed" by the meeting. This doesn't feel like the Harry he knew back at college, the weak, but attractive lad that was part of the wild set at Trinity. Something seems off, which Gregson puts down to Harry's wife.
However, at the Manor, Harry's wife is sweet and cool. However, too calm, and too pleasant - the atmosphere was too unreal.
When Margaret leaves the room, Harry starts talking about distasteful topics that make Gregson feel sick. Eventually, they return to Margaret, and Gregson sees that her calm has slipped into fear, before she realises that they are there and fixes her face into calmness again.
Awakening from a dream in which Margaret is asking for his help, Gregson, at 1 am, visits the Manor. Margaret has been locked out of the house, not for the first time.
Gregson manages to coax out what has been occurring up at the Manor: nearly a year ago, Harry collapsed and when he awakened was not himself. While he knew all of Harry's friends and had all of Harry's memories, it is not Harry. It is fiendish and cruel in unusual ways. They manage to get back into the house where Margaret shows Gregson the portrait of Henry Montford Lorrimer, a wicked man, who was killed in a duel at the age of 33.
Gregson then tells her he must visit a friend, promising to be back in two days. His friend, Sanderson, was an expert in the occult. He advises that only love unclouded by fear can bring the possibility of returning Harry to the control of his own body.
When Gregson returns, he tells Margaret what he has discovered. Margaret realises what she must do. Hiding the key to the wine cellar, she invites confrontation with Henry, telling him that he cannot hurt her, even if he breaks her arms. She calls out to Harry, who responds before fainting. Upon his revival is becomes clear that he has no memory of what has happened.
In the final entry, we find Gregson staying with the Lorrimers, now in Kent, with four children, having sold the Manor with all of the contents. Henry Montford Lorrimer is never discussed.
Review
I found this to be quite a weak story that resolves without issue and a fair easy manner. Because we are not told details of the wicked things Henry has done, or any of the vile things he tells Gregson, we are so far distanced from the evil as to not be touched by it.
Sadly, no fear is generated by this story. No disturbance or worries for any of the characters. While Margaret acts supremely with bravery, she only has to do so once, which seems odd if Henry is such a strong being. They neatly sell the Manor, contents and all, and move to Kent. Everything is tied up very neatly with no apparent after effects for Harry.
One thing worth mentioning is Crompton's mention of Addison's Spectator. The Spectator originally ran between 1711 and 1714, generating over 500 issues as a periodical. Publishing essays, the publication was then collected into eight volumes and was still popular in to the 1900s.
