Nay, sir," said
the pertinacious lawyer, rising, "I do not wish to use more
circumlocution than is necessary; I have stated my suspicions, and if
you are an honest man, you can have no objections, at least, to satisfy
your nephew on the subject, who seems, to say the truth, much astonished
at our accidental parley."
"And pray who made you a ruler and a judge between us?"
"_I_ have no business with it, I own; but as you seemed rather angry, I
made bold to give an opinion on the little technicalities aforesaid. If
you choose, sir," addressing himself to me, "the matter is now at rest."
"Of course," I replied, "Mr S---- will be ready to give every
satisfaction that may be required as regards the validity of the
witnesses. I request, uncle, that you will not lose one moment in
rebutting these insinuations. For your own sake and mine, it is not
proper that your conduct should go forth to the world in the shape in
which this gentleman may think fit to represent it."
"If he dare speak one word"----
"Nay, uncle, that is not the way to stop folks' mouth now-a-days.
Nothing but the actual gag, or a line of conduct that courts no favour
and requires no concealment, will pass current with the world.
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