"
"Indeed we must, sir; and many thanks to you for wanting to keep us
longer," said Mrs. Peckover. "What I was going to say isn't much; it's
quite as well you shouldn't hear it--and indeed, indeed, ma'am, we must
go directly. I told this gentleman here, Mr. Blyth, when I come in,
that I'd stolen to you unawares, under pretense of taking little Mary
out for a walk. If we are not back to the two o'clock dinner in the
circus, it's unknown what Jubber may not do. This gentleman will tell
you how infamously he treated the poor child last night--we must go,
sir, for her sake; or else--"
"Stop!" cried Valentine, all his suppressed excitability bursting
bounds in an instant, as he took Mrs. Peckover by the arm, and pressed
her back into her chair. "Stop!--hear me; I must speak, or I shall go
out of my senses! Don't interrupt me, Mrs. Peckover; and don't get up.
All I want to say is this: you must never take that little angel of a
child near Jubber again--no, never! By heavens! if I thought he was
likely to touch her any more, I should go mad, and murder him!--Let me
alone, doctor! I beg Mrs. Joyce's pardon for behaving like this; I'll
never do it again. Be quiet, all of you! I must take the child home
with me--oh, Mrs.
Pages:
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162