Your wife lost
one house, through my client Mr. Michael Warden; and now gains
another. I shall have the pleasure of canvassing you for the
county, one of these fine mornings.'
'Would it make any difference in the vote if the sign was altered,
sir?' asked Britain.
'Not in the least,' replied the lawyer.
'Then,' said Mr. Britain, handing him back the conveyance, 'just
clap in the words, "and Thimble," will you be so good; and I'll
have the two mottoes painted up in the parlour instead of my wife's
portrait.'
'And let me,' said a voice behind them; it was the stranger's -
Michael Warden's; 'let me claim the benefit of those inscriptions.
Mr. Heathfield and Dr. Jeddler, I might have deeply wronged you
both. That I did not, is no virtue of my own. I will not say that
I am six years wiser than I was, or better. But I have known, at
any rate, that term of self-reproach. I can urge no reason why you
should deal gently with me. I abused the hospitality of this
house; and learnt by my own demerits, with a shame I never have
forgotten, yet with some profit too, I would fain hope, from one,'
he glanced at Marion, 'to whom I made my humble supplication for
forgiveness, when I knew her merit and my deep unworthiness. In a
few days I shall quit this place for ever. I entreat your pardon.
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