But, by George! if they were indiscreetly shown, or repeated, some of
those things might blow up the party! Ferrier uncomfortably remembered
one or two instances during the preceding year, in which it had occurred
to him--as the merest fleeting impression--that Oliver had repeated a
saying or had twisted an opinion of his unfairly--puzzling instances, in
which, had it been any one else, Ferrier would have seen the desire to
snatch a personal advantage at his, Ferrier's, expense. But how
entertain such a notion in the case of Oliver! Ridiculous!
He would write no more letters, however. With the news of the
Dunscombe meeting the relations between himself and Oliver
entered upon a new phase. Toward Lucy's son he must bear
himself--politically--henceforward, not as the intimate confiding friend
or foster-father, but as the statesman with greater interests than his
own to protect. This seemed to him clear; yet the effort to adjust his
mind to the new conditions gave him deep and positive pain.
But what, after all, were his grievances compared with those of this
soft-eyed girl? It pricked his conscience to remember how feebly he had
fought her battle.
Pages:
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461