Page:Anthony Hope - The Dolly Dialogues.djvu/55

 'Or you wouldn't have been deceived!' said I with a smile.

'I wasn't deceived,' said Mrs. Hilary, an admirable flush appearing on her cheeks.

'That is to say, Hilary wouldn't.'

'Oh, Hilary! Why didn't his employers prosecute him, Mr. Carter?'

'In the first place, he had that inestimable advantage in a career of dishonesty—respectable relations.'

'Well, but still'

'His widowed mother was a trump, you know.'

'Do you mean a good woman?'

'Doubtless she was; but I meant a good card. However, there was another reason.'

'I can't see any,' declared Mrs. Hilary.

'I'm going to surprise you,' said I. 'Hilary interceded for him.'

'Hilary?'

'You didn't know it? I thought not. Well, he did.'

'Why, he always pretended to want him to be convicted.'

'Cunning Hilary!' said I.

'He used to speak most strongly against him.'

'That was his guile,' said I.

'Oh, but why in the world?' she began; then she paused, and went on again: 'It was nothing to do with Hilary.'

'Hilary went with me to see him, you know, while they had him under lock and key at the firm's offices.'