"O, they may be very wrong; but that is the
impression conveyed, that is what I suppose I am paid
to bring about, and I have no choice but to try and
earn my hire."
"I would scorn to deceive you," said Norris, with a
strong flush; "you have guessed rightly. My family
refuse to see me; but I am not going to England, I am
going to the islands. How does that affect the
islands?"
"Ah, but I don't know that you are going to the
islands, said the lawyer, looking down, and spearing
the blotting-paper with a pencil.
"I beg your pardon. I have the pleasure of informing
you," said Norris.
"I am afraid, Mr. Carthew, that I cannot regard that
communication as official," was the slow reply.
"I am not accustomed to have my word doubted!" cried
Norris.
"Hush! I allow no one to raise his voice in my office,"
said the lawyer. "And for that matter--you seem to be
a young gentleman of sense--consider what I know of
you. You are a discarded son; your family pays money
to be shut of you. What have you done? I don't know.
But do you not see how foolish I should be, if I
exposed my business reputation on the safeguard of the
honour of a gentleman of whom I know just so much and
no more? This interview is very disagreeable.
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