Mr. Percival having pondered
the matter for some time, now proposed that Scawthorne should
qualify himself for admission as a solicitor (the circumstances
required his being under articles for three years only), and then,
if everything were still favourable, accept a junior partnership in
the firm. Such an offer was a testimony of the high regard in which
Scawthorne was held by his employer; it stirred him with hope he had
never dared to entertain since his eyes were opened to the realities
of the world, and in a single day did more for the ripening of his
prudence than years would have effected had his position remained
unaltered. Scawthorne realised more distinctly what a hazardous game
he had been playing.
And here was this brief note, signed 'C. V.' An ugly affair to look
back upon, all that connected itself with those initials. The worst
of it was, that it could not be regarded as done with. Had he
anything to fear from 'C. V.' directly? The meeting must decide
that. He felt now what a fortunate thing it was that his elaborate
plot to put an end to the engagement between Kirkwood and Jane
Snowdon had been accidentally frustrated--a plot which _might_
have availed himself nothing, even had it succeeded.
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