Читать книгу Charles Peace, or The Adventures of a Notorious Burglar онлайн

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“I have no daughter—​she died years ago.”

“Died?”

“She has been dead to me—​dead—​for full five and twenty years.”

“True, she may be dead. But, even assuming this were the case—​assuming it for argument’s sake——”

“Well, what then? We will assume it for argument’s sake.”

“She may have left children—​may have left a son and heir to the title and estates. You have said that her offence was an unpardonable one.”

“So it was. No living man will dare to dispute the point with me.”

“Do not be so choleric, my very dear old friend. I grant what you say. Her offence is perhaps unpardonable, but that is no reason for the innocent being similarly punished. You really must allow me to be plain-spoken when a subject of this nature——”

“You are plain-spoken,” exclaimed Lord Ethalwood, as his pale face became still paler, “very plain-spoken.”

He arose from his chair and walked with rapid strides up and down the room.

“You are moved,” said Canon Lenthal. “The subject is a painful one, without doubt, but it may appear like egotism on my part when I express a hope that you might possibly be induced to listen to me more complacently than you would to any other. Now sit down, my lord, and view the matter in a better and more becoming spirit.”