Volume I Part 16 (1/2)
”Then you will do it?”
”I will do it,” said Mr. Lethbridge: ”and I wish Mr. Linton every success.”
”Linton, old chap,” exclaimed Kiss, ”your fortune's made!”
Mr. Linton raised his eyes. The tears were br.i.m.m.i.n.g over in them, and running down his face.
”How can I thank you?” he said to Mr. Lethbridge. ”When everything looked so dark, and when I did not know which way to turn----” He could not go on.
”There's a silver lining to every cloud,” said Kiss, ”and if it can be seen anywhere in this wilderness city it can be seen here, in my friend Leth's house. I call a blessing upon it. When you crossed this threshold you dropped on your feet. But I told you how it would be.
Now, Leth, perhaps you would like to hear that, hearing I was out of an engagement, the manager of the Eden Theatre offered me terms, but I have such faith in Linton's new piece that I refused and kept myself open for it.”
”I am perfectly satisfied,” said Mr. Lethbridge.
”We can settle the affair at once, if you like,” said Kiss.
”Certainly, at once,” a.s.sented Mr. Lethbridge.
”I brought the bill with me, and here it is on stamped paper.”
He produced it, and Mr. Lethbridge, reading it through, accepted it, making it payable at the bank in which he had for so long a time held a position of trust.
”Aunt Leth sent me to tell you,” said Phoebe, popping in her head, ”that tea is ready.”
”Thank you, Phoebe,” said Mr. Lethbridge; ”come in. I want to introduce Mr. Linton to you.”
How little did the bright and beautiful girl suspect that within the last few moments an awful and tragic thread had been woven into her life!
She entered the room, and looked timidly at the poor author.
”Not a word for me?” said Kiss.
”Yes, Mr. Kiss,” said Phoebe, giving him her hand.
”Mr. Linton--Phoebe,” said her uncle Leth, encircling her waist with his arm. ”This is my niece, Mr. Linton, whom I love as a daughter.”
”Mr. Pamflett was speaking of you yesterday,” said Mr. Linton.
”Mr. Pamflett!” exclaimed Phoebe, shrinking at the name.
”Yes. He said you were the most lovely girl in all London, and that there was no service you could call upon him to render which he would not cheerfully perform.”
”I scarcely know him, sir,” murmured Phoebe.
”Let us go in to tea,” said Mr. Lethbridge, ”or mother will be impatient. A terrible tyrant, Mr. Linton; a terrible tyrant!”
CHAPTER XII.
THE READING OF THE NEW PLAY.