The flash of conviction was as instantaneous in its
action in my mind as that of the lightning when it strikes its object. I
stood confounded, yet enlightened, all ablaze!--but the subject of this
discovery did not seem in the least to apprehend it, or to believe it
possible, in his mad, mole-like effrontery of self-sufficiency, that by
his own track he could be betrayed.
"Vat ansair shall I bear to Mr. Bainrothe from his vard?" asked the
Mercury of my Jove, clasping his costumed hands together, then dropping
them meekly before him. "I vait de reply of Miss Monfort vid patience.
Dere is pen, and ink, and papair, I perceive, on dat table. Be good
enough to write at once your reply to de vise conditions of your
excellent guardian."
"You know them, then?" I said, quickly, glancing at him with a derisive
scorn that did not escape his observation.
"I have dat honnair," was the hypocritical reply, accompanied by a
profound bow.
"Disgrace, rather," I substituted. "But you have your own stand-point of
view, of course. The shield that to you is white, to me is black as
Erebus. You remember the knights of fable?"
"Always the same--always indomitable!" I heard him murmur, so low that
it was marvelous how the words reached my ear, tense as was every sense
with disdainful excitement. Yet he simply said aloud, after his
impulsive stage-whisper: "Excuse me! I understand not your allusions.
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