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THE BATTLE OF LIFE. |
309 |
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" Good Heaven, Mr. Warden !" said the lawyer, taking him
aside, " what wind has blown------" He was so blown himself,
that he couldn't get on any further until after a pause, when he added, feebly, " you here ?n
"An ill wind, I am afraid," he answered. "If you could have heard what has just passed—how I have been besought and entreated to perform impossibilities—-what confusion and affliction I carry with me ! "
" I can guess it all. But why did you ever come here, my good Sir ?" retorted Snitchey.
" Come ! How should I know who kept the house *? When I sent my servant on to you, I strolled in here because the place was new to me; and I had a natural curiosity in everything new and old, in these old scenes; and it was outside the town. I wanted to communicate with you first, before appearing there. I wanted to know what people would say to me. I see by your manner that you can tell me. If it were not for your confounded caution, I should have been possessed of everything long ago."
"Our caution ! " returned the lawyer. " Speaking for Self and Craggs—deceased," here Mr. Snitchey, glancing at his hat-band, shook his head, " how can you reasonably blame us, Mr. Warden ? It was understood between us that the subject was never to be renewed, and that it wasn't a subject on which grave and sober men like us (I made a note of your observations at the time) could interfere. Our caution too! When Mr. Craggs, Sir, went down to his respected grave in the full belief------"
"I had given a solemn promise of silence until I should return, whenever that might be," interrupted Mr. Warden; " and I have kept it."
"Well, Sir, and I repeat it," returned Mr. Snitchey, "we were bound to silence too. We were bound to silence in our duty towards ourselves, and in our duty towards a variety of clients, you among them, who were as close as wax. It was not our place to make inquiries of you on such a delicate subject. I had my suspicions, Sir ; but it is not six months since I have known the truth, and been assured that you lost her."
" By whom ?" inquired his client.
" By Doctor Jeddler himself, Sir, who at last reposed that confidence in me voluntarily. He, and only he, has known the whole truth, years and years."
" And you know it ?" said his client.
" I do, Sir !" replied Snitchey; " and I have also reason to know that it will be broken to her sister to-morrow evening. They have given her that promise. In the meantime, perhaps you'll give |
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