It don't matter a
scrap, you see, so long as you and I keep friendly, eh? I'm talking
very open to you, but it's all for Janey's sake. If you went and
told father I'd been saying anything against Percival--well, it
would make things nasty for me. I've put myself in your hands, but I
know the kind of man you are. It's only right you should hear of
what's said. Don't worry; we'll just wait a little, that's all. I
mean it all for the little girl's sake. It wouldn't be nice if you
married her and then she was told--eh?'
Sidney looked at the speaker steadily, then stirred the fire and
moved about for a few moments. As he kept absolute silence, Joseph,
after throwing out a few vague assurances of goodwill and trust,
rose to take his leave. Kirkwood shook hands with him, but spoke not
a word. Late the same night Sidney penned a letter to Michael
Snowdon. In the morning he read it over, and instead of putting it
into an envelope, locked it away in one of his drawers.
When the evening for his visit to Hanover Street again came round he
again absented himself, this time just calling to leave word with
the servant that business kept him away.
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