‘You never come down to see your old acquaintance on the Ellangowan
property, Mr. Sampson. You would find most of the old stagers still
stationary there. I have too much respect for the late family to disturb
old residenters, even under pretence of improvement. Besides, it’s not my
way, I don’t like it; I believe, Mr. Sampson, Scripture particularly
condemns those who oppress the poor, and remove landmarks.’
‘Or who devour the substance of orphans,’ subjoined the Dominie.
‘Anathema, Maranatha!’ So saying, he rose, shouldered the folio which he
had been perusing, faced to the right about, and marched out of the room
with the strides of a grenadier.
Mr. Glossin, no way disconcerted, or at least feeling it necessary not to
appear so, turned to young Hazlewood, who was apparently busy with the
newspaper.--’ Any news, sir?’ Hazlewood raised his eyes, looked at him,
and pushed the paper towards him, as if to a stranger in a coffee-house,
then rose, and was about to leave the room. ‘I beg pardon, Mr. Hazlewood,
but I can’t help wishing you joy of getting so easily over that infernal
accident.’ This was answered by a sort of inclination of the head, as
slight and stiff as could well be imagined. Yet it encouraged our man of
law to proceed.--’ I can promise you, Mr. Hazlewood, few people have
taken the interest in that matter which I have done, both for the sake of
the country and on account of my particular respect for your family,
which has so high a stake in it; indeed, so very high a stake that, as
Mr. Featherhead is ‘turning old now, and as there’s a talk, since his
last stroke, of his taking the Chiltern Hundreds, it might be worth your
while to look about you. I speak as a friend, Mr. Hazlewood, and as one
who understands the roll; and if in going over it together--’
‘I beg pardon, sir, but I have no views in which your assistance could be
useful.’
‘O, very well, perhaps you are right; it’s quite time enough, and I love
to see a young gentleman cautious. But I was talking of your wound. I
think I have got a clue to that business--I think I have, and if I don’t
bring the fellow to condign punishment--!’
‘I beg your pardon, sir, once more; but your zeal outruns my wishes. I
have every reason to think the wound was accidental; certainly it was not
premeditated. Against ingratitude and premeditated treachery, should you
find any one guilty of them, my resentment will be as warm as your own.’
This was Hazlewood’s answer.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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