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 say what may be the nature of the communication to be made; but if it be anything touching the property, you will no doubt jeopardize your own interests by your imprudence.'

'Good morning, Mr. Dockwrath,' said Mr. Mason.

'Oh, very well. Good morning, sir. You shall hear from me very shortly, Mr. Mason; and I must say that, considering everything, I do not know that I ever came across a gentleman who behaved himself worse in a peculiar position than you have done in yours.' And so they parted.

Punctually at eleven o'clock on the following day Mr. Mason was in Bedford Row. 'Mr. Furnival is with Mr. Round,' said the clerk, 'and will see you in two minutes.' Then he was shown into the dingy office waiting-room, where he sat with his hat in his hand, for rather more than two minutes.

At that moment Mr. Round was describing to Mr. Furnival the manner in which he had been visited some weeks since by Sir Peregrine Orme. 'Of course, Mr. Furnival, I knew which way the wind blew when I heard that.'

'She must have told him everything.'

'No doubt, no doubt. At any rate he knew it all.'

'And what did you say to him?'

'I promised to hold my tongue;—and I kept my promise. Mat knows nothing about it to this day.'

The whole history thus became gradually clear to Mr. Furnival's mind, and he could understand in what manner that marriage had been avoided. Mr. Round also understood it, and the two lawyers confessed together, that though the woman had deserved the punishment which had come upon her, her character was one which might have graced a better destiny. 'And now, I suppose, my fortunate client may come in,' said Mr. Round. Whereupon the fortunate client was released from his captivity, and brought into the sitting-room of the senior partner.

'Mr. Mason, Mr. Furnival,' said the attorney, as soon as he had shaken hands with his client. 'You know each other very well by name, gentlemen.'

Mr. Mason was very stiff in his hearing and demeanour, but remarked that he had heard of Mr. Furnival before.

'All the world has heard of him,' said Mr. Round. 'He hasn't hid his light under a bushel.' Whereupon Mr. Mason bowed, not quite understanding what was said to him.

'Mr. Mason,' began the barrister, 'I have a communication to make to you, very singular in its nature, and of great importance. It is one which I believe you will regard as being of considerable importance to yourself, and which is of still higher moment to my—my friend, Lady Mason.'

'Lady Mason, sir—' began the other; but Mr. Furnival stopped him.