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96 musing. 'Round himself is not a bad fellow, and I am acquainted with him. He was the junior partner in that house at the time of the trial, and I know that he persuaded Joseph Mason not to appeal to the Lords. I will contrive, if possible, to see him. I shall be able to learn from him at any rate whether anything is being done.'

'And then if I hear that there is not, I shall be comforted.'

'Of course; of course.course.' [sic]

'But if there is'

'I think there will be nothing of the sort,' said Mr. Furnival, leaving his seat as he spoke.

'But if there is I shall have your aid?' and she slowly rose from her chair as she spoke.

Mr. Furnival gave her a promise of this, as Sir Peregrine had done before; and then with her handkerchief to her eyes she thanked him. Her tears were not false as Mr. Furnival well saw; and seeing that she wept, and seeing that she was beautiful, and feeling that in her grief and in her beauty she had come to him for aid, his heart was softened towards her, and he put out his arms as though he would take her to his heart—as a daughter. 'Dearest friend,' he said, 'trust me that no harm shall come to you.'

'I will trust you,' she said, gently stopping the motion of his arm, 'I will trust you, altogether. And when you have seen Mr. Round, shall I hear from you?'

At this moment, as they were standing close together, the door opened, and Mr. Crabwitz introduced another lady—who indeed had advanced so quickly towards the door of Mr. Furnival's room, that the clerk had been hardly able to reach it before her.

'Mrs. Furnival, if you please, sir,' said Mr. Crabwitz.