TVYLDER'S HJ1JVD.
263
torney's countenance averted, would have been simply
despair.
"To speak frankly," said the poor Vicar, with that hec-
tic in his cheek that came with agitation, "I never fancied
that my reversionary interest could be saleable."
"Neither is it, in all probability, answered the attor-
ney. "As you are so seriously pressed, and your broth-
er's return delayed, it merely crossed my mind as a thing
worth trying."
"It was very kind and thoughtful; but that feeling —
the — my poor little man! However, I may be only
nervous and foolish, and I think I'll speak to Lord Chel-
ford about it."
The attorney looked down, and took his nether lip
gently between his finger and thumb. I rather think he
had no particular wish to take Lord Ch.elford into coun-
cil.
"I think before troubling his lordship upon the sub-
ject — if, indeed, on reflection, you should not think it
would be a little odd to trouble him at all in reference to
it — I had better look a little more carefully into the pa-
pers, and see whether any thing in that direction is really
practicable at all."
''- Do you think, Mr. Larkin, you can write that strong
letter to stay proceedings which you intended yester-
day?"
The attorney shook his head, and said, with a
of dryness— " I can't see my way to it."
The Vicar's heart sank with a flutter, and
and sank another bit, and his forehead flus1
There was silence.
"You see, Mr. Wylder, I relied, ir
upon this a — arrangement; and I
thing is likely to come of it."