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

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“Yes, I believe she did and, indeed, does.”

“Well, then, it seems an act of injustice, not to say cruelty, to separate man and wife by any such means.”

“There is one thing you and I can’t agree upon, Chicknell.”

“What is that, my lord?”

“You are a radical, and are a self-elected champion of the lower orders. I am not. I have no sympathy with people of that order. You have, I suppose.”

“I have sympathy with every class, high and low, if they be honest and good members of their class.”

“Enough of this!” exclaimed the old nobleman, angrily.

I have done, my lord,” exclaimed the lawyer. “You sent for me. I presume it was in reference to business matters.”

“It was.”

“I am at your service.”

“It is essential to my happiness—​my peace of mind—​that this young creature should remain with me—​be my adopted. I have not many more years to live; but I cannot part with Aveline. You will say I am selfish, perhaps—​that does not much concern me; but you will admit, with all your radical notions, that it is not seemly—​not consistent with the ordinary usages of society—​that a scion of the house of Ethalwood should be mated to a common, low-bred workman. It is, in point of fact, most intolerable.”