'I were most unfortunate--most unfortunate indeed, Miss Lake, if my manner could in the least justify the strong and undue language in which you have been pleased to characterise it. But I do not resent--it is not my way--"beareth all things," Miss Lake, "beareth all things"--I hope I try to practise the precept; but the fact of being misunderstood shall not deter me from the discharge of a simple duty.' 'If it is part of your duty, Sir, to make yourself intelligible, may I beg that you will do it without further delay.' 'My principal object in calling here was to inform you, Miss Lake, that you must quite abandon the idea of residing in the vicar's house, as you proposed, unless you wish me to state explicitly to him and to Mrs. Wylder the insurmountable objections which exist to any such arrangement. Such a task, Miss Lake, would be most painful to me. I hesitate to discuss the question even with you; and if you give me your word of honour that you quite abandon that idea, I shall on the instant take my leave, and certainly, for the present, trouble you no further upon a most painful subject.' 'And now, Sir, as I have no intention whatever of tolerating your incomprehensibly impertinent interference, and don't understand your meaning in the slightest degree, and do not intend to withdraw the offer I have made to good Mrs. Wylder, you will I hope perceive the uselessness of prolonging your visit, and be so good as to leave me in unmolested possession of my poor residence.' 'If I wished to do you an injury, Miss Lake, I should take you at your word. I don't--I wish to spare you. Your countenance, Miss Lake--you must pardon my frankness, it is my way--_your countenance_ tells only too plainly that you now comprehend my allusion.' There was a confidence and significance in the attorney's air and accent, and a peculiar look of latent ferocity in his evil countenance, which gradually excited her fears, and fascinated her gaze. 'Now, Miss Lake, we are sitting here in the presence of Him who is the searcher of hearts, and before whom nothing is secret--your eye is upon mine and mine on yours--and I ask you, _do you remember the night of the 29th of September last_?'