Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. II, 1889.djvu/112

 attributed to the young man,—whose appearance proved him anything but a commonplace person. The situation was full of obscurities and dangers. From Scawthorne Joseph received an assurance that the whole of the Australian property had been capitalised and placed in English investments; also, that the income was regularly drawn and in some way disposed off; the manner of such disposal being kept private between old Mr. Percival and his client.

In the meantime family discussions in the Close had brought to Joseph’s knowledge a circumstance regarding Kirkwood which interested him in a high degree. When talking of Sidney’s character, it was natural that the Peckovers should relate the story of his relations with Clara Hewett.

“Clara?” exclaimed Mr. Snowdon, as if struck by the name. “Disappeared, has she? What sort of a girl to look at?”

Clem was ready with a malicious description, whereto her husband attended very carefully. He mused over it, and proceeded to