What Will He Do with It? — Volume 07Lytton, Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron
General
What Will He Do with It? — Volume 07
Lytton, Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron
English fiction -- 19th century
The most damning fact against Losely, by the discovery in his possession
of the L5 note, of which Mr. Gunston deposed to have taken the number,
was certainly hard to get over; still an ingenious lawyer might have
thrown doubt on Gunstun's testimony--a man confessedly so careless might
have mistaken the number, &c. The lawyer went, with these hints for
defence, to see Losely himself in prison; but Losely declined his help--
became very angry--said that he would rather suffer death itself than
have suspicion transferred to some innocent man; and that, as to the
cloak, it had been inside his carpet-bag. So you see, bad as he was,
there was something inconsistently honourable left in him still. Poor
Willy! he would not even subpeena any of his old friends as to his
general character. But even if he had, what could the Court do since he
pleaded guilty? And now dismiss that subject, it begins to pain me
extremely. You were to speak to me about some one of the same name when
my story was concluded. What is it?"
"I am so confused," faltered Lionel, still quivering with emotion, "that
I can scarcely answer you--scarcely recollect myself. But--but--while
you were describing this poor William Losely, his talent for mimicry and
acting, I could not help thinking that I had seen him." Lionel proceeded
to speak of Gentleman Waife. "Can that be the man?"
Alban shook his head incredulously. He thought it so like a romantic
youth to detect imaginary resemblances.
"No," said he, "my dear boy. My William Losely could never become a
strolling-player in a village fair. Besides, I have good reason to
believe that Willy is well off; probably made money in the colony by some
lucky hit for when do you say you saw your stroller? Five years ago?
Well, not very long before that date-perhaps a year or two-less than two
years, I am sure-this eccentric rascal sent Mr. Gunston, the man who had
transported him, L100! Gunston, you must know, feeling more than ever
bored and hipped when he lost Willy, tried to divert himself by becoming
director in some railway company. The company proved a bubble; all
turned their indignation on the one rich man who could pay where others
cheated. Gunston was ruined--purse and character--fled to Calais; and
there, less than seven years ago, when in great distress, he received
from poor Willy a kind, affectionate, forgiving letter, and L100. I have
this from Gunston's nearest relation, to whom he told it, crying like a
child. Willy gave no address! but it is clear that at the time he must
have been too well off to turn mountebank at your miserable exhibition.
Poor, dear, rascally, infamous, big-hearted Willy," burst out the
Colonel. "I wish to heaven he had only robbed me!"
"Sir," said Lionel, "rely upon it, that man you described never robbed
any one--'tis impossible."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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