Part 24 (2/2)
Joseph waited a ht,” he said slowly, ”and the weather is wild You o you must then,”
he added sternly ”I need scarce say, sir, that you ain h”
”I understand, sir; I understand But you deal hardly withsurprise
”I was the victiainst whom my hand was to be lifted Oh, sir, am I to suffer all ory,” he cried, turning passionately to Cynthia's father, ”you are perchance more merciful? You understand ory opened his heavy eyes
”A plague on you, Master Stewart,” he groaned ”I understand that you have given me a wound that will take a month to heal”
”It was an accident, sir I swear it was an accident!”
”To swear this and that appears to be your chief diversion in life,”
growled Gregory for answer ”You had best go; we are not likely to listen to excuses”
”Did you rather suggest a reht hear you”
Kenneth swung round and faced hi his eyes
”What remedy is there? How can I undo what I have done? Show me but the way, and I'll follow it, no matter where it leads!”
Such protestations had Joseph looked to hear, and he was hard put to it to disse pretence to ponder At length:
”Kenneth,” he said, ”you may in some measure repair the evil you have done, and if you are ready to undergo soet this night”
”Tell me how, sir, and whatever the cost I will perforrievance against the Ashburns ell-founded; that they had wrecked his life even as they had sought to destroy it; even as eighteen years ago they had destroyed his wife's His only thought was Cynthia; his only as to possess her Besides that, justice and honour itself were of sht ht entrust to one of ed the er
”I would, sir,” answered the boy, ”that the task were great and difficult”
”Yes, yes,” answered Joseph with biting sarcase and your resource” He sat silent and thoughtful for solance at the lad:
”You shall have this chance of setting yourself right with us,” he said
Then abruptly he added
”Go make ready for a journey You must set out within the hour for London Take what you may require and arory, who, despite his sluggish wits, divined--partly, at least--as afoot, lance
”Go,” Joseph said to the boy And, without comment, Kenneth rose and left theory when the door had closed