Page:Orley Farm (Serial Volume 18).pdf/16

226 attorney,' said Augustus, after a pause; but to this Graham at first made no answer.

'If I were on the jury,' continued the other, 'I would not believe a single word that came from that fellow's mouth, unless it were fully supported by other testimony. Nor will the jury believe him.'

'I tell you what, Staveley,' said Graham, 'you will oblige me greatly in this matter if you will not speak to me of the trial till it is over.'

'I beg your pardon.'

'No; don't do that. Nothing can be more natural than that you and I should discuss it together in all its bearings. But there are reasons, which I will explain to you afterwards, why I would rather not do so.'

'All right,' said Augustus. 'I'll not say another word.'

'And for my part, I will get through the work as as I may.' And then they both sat silent in the gig till they came to the corner of Noningsby wall.

'And is that other subject tabooed also?' said Augustus.

'What other subject?'

'That as to which we said something when you were last here,—touching my sister Madeline.'

Graham felt that his face was on fire, but he did not know how to answer. 'In that it is for you to decide whether or no there should be silence between us,' he said at last.

'I certainly do not wish that there should be any secret between us,' said Augustus.

'Then there shall be none. It is my intention to make an offer to her before I leave Noningsby. I can assure you for your satisfaction, that my hopes do not run very high.'

'For my satisfaction, Felix! I don't know why you should suppose me to be anxious that you should fail.' And as he so spoke he stopped his horse at the hall-door, and there was no time for further speech.

'Papa has been home a quarter of an hour,' said Madeline, meeting them in the hall.

'Yes, he had the pull of us by having his carriage ready,' said her brother. 'We had to wait for the ostler.'

'He says that if you are not ready in ten minutes he will go to dinner without you. Mamma and I are dressed.' And as she spoke she turned round with a smile to Felix, making him feel that both she and her father were treating him as though he were one of the family.

'Ten minutes will be quite enough for me,' said he.

'If the governor only would sit down,' said Augustus, 'it would be all right. But that's just what he won't do. Mad, do send somebody to help me to unpack.' And then they all bustled away,