| 475 | 476 | 477 | 478 | 479 |
| 1 | 133 | 265 | 398 | 530 |
|
star and compass. Still, the doubt may be gently insinuated. And in
illustration it may be observed, that if Mr Brass, not being over-
suspicious, had, without prying and listening, left his sister to manage
the conference on their joint behalf, or prying and listening, had not
been in such a mighty hurry to anticipate her (which he would not
have been, but for his distrust and jealousy), he would probably have
found himself much better off in the end. Thus, it will always happen
that these men of the world, who go through it in armour, defend
themselves from quite as much good as evil; to say nothing of the
inconvenience and absurdity of mounting guard with a microscope at
all times, and of wearing a coat of mail on the most innocent
occasions.
The three gentlemen spoke together apart, for a few moments. At the
end of their consultation, which was very brief, the Notary pointed to
the writing materials on the table, and informed Mr Brass that if he
wished to make any statement in writing, he had the opportunity of
doing so. At the same time he felt bound to tell him that they would
require his attendance, presently, before a justice of the peace, and
that in what he did or said, he was guided entirely by his own
discretion.
'Gentlemen,' said Brass, drawing off his glove, and crawling in spirit
upon the ground before them, 'I will justify the tenderness with which
I know I shall be treated; and as, without tenderness, I should, now
that this discovery has been made, stand in the worst position of the
three, you may depend upon it I will make a clean breast. Mr
Witherden, sir, a kind of faintness is upon my spirits - if you would
do me the favour to ring the bell and order up a glass of something
warm and spicy, I shall, notwithstanding what has passed, have a
melancholy pleasure in drinking your good health. I had hoped,' said
Brass, looking round with a mournful smile, 'to have seen you three
gentlemen, one day or another, with your legs under the mahogany in
my humble parlour in the Marks. But hopes are fleeting. Dear me!'
Mr Brass found himself so exceedingly affected, at this point, that he
could say or do nothing more until some refreshment arrived. Having
partaken of it, pretty freely for one in his agitated state, he sat down to
write.
The lovely Sarah, now with her arms folded, and now with her hands
clasped behind her, paced the room with manly strides while her
brother was thus employed, and sometimes stopped to pull out her
snuff-box and bite the lid. She continued to pace up and down until
she was quite tired, and then fell asleep on a chair near the door.
It has been since supposed, with some reason, that this slumber was
a sham or feint, as she contrived to slip away unobserved in the dusk
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