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Rh communication, and looking round the table to see the effect of it upon the circle.

'Then you've parted from a very low-lived party, let me tell you that,' said Moulder. He had not forgotten Dockwrath's conduct in the commercial room at Leeds, and was fully resolved that he never would forgive it.

'That's as may be,' said Kantwise. 'I say nothing on that subject at the present moment, either one way or the other. But I think you'll all agree as to this: that at the present moment Mr. Dockwrath fills a conspicuous place in the public eye.'

'By no means so conspicuous as John Kenneby,' said Mrs. Smiley, 'if I may be allowed in my position to hold an opinion.'

'That's as may be, ma'am. I say nothing about that. What I hold by is, that Mr. Dockwrath does hold a conspicuous place in the public eye. I've just parted with him in Gray's Inn Lane, and he says—that it's all up now with Lady Mason.'

'Gammon!' said Moulder. And on this occasion Mrs. Smiley did not rebuke him. 'What does he know about it more than any one else? Will he bet two to one? Because, if so, I'll take it;—only I must see the money down.'

'I don't know what he'll bet, Mr. Moulder; only he says it's all up with her.'

'Will he back his side, even handed?'

'I aint a betting man, Mr. Moulder. I don't think it's right. And on such a matter as this, touching the liberty and almost life of a lady whom I've had the honour of seeing, and acquainted as I am with the lady of the other party, Mrs. Mason that is of Groby Park, I should rather, if it's no offence to you, decline the subject of—betting.'

'Bother!'

'Now M., in your own house, you know!' said his wife.

'So it is bother. But never mind that. Go on, Kantwise. What is this you were saying about Dockwrath?'

'Oh, that's about all. I thought you would like to know what they were doing,—particularly Mr. Kenneby. I do hear that they mean to be uncommonly hard upon him.'

The unfortunate witness shifted uneasily in his seat, but at the moment said nothing himself.

'Well, now, I can't understand it,' said Mrs. Smiley, sitting upright in her chair, and tackling herself to the discussion as though she meant to express her opinion, let who might think differently. 'How is any one to put words into my mouth if I don't choose to speak then? There's John's waistcoat is silk.' Upon which they all looked at Kenneby's waistcoat, and, with the exception of Kantwise, acknowledged the truth of the assertion.