Celebrity, the — Volume 03 by Winston Churchill
page 31 of 59 (52%)
page 31 of 59 (52%)
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that of my daughter, as well as for that of the others present that,
since he refuses to speak, we must presume him guilty and turn him over." Mr. Trevor turned to Mrs. Cooke, as if relying on her support. "Fenelon," said she, "I have never sought to influence your actions when your friends were concerned, and I shall not begin now. All I ask of you is to consider the consequences of your intention." These words from Mrs. Cooke had much more weight with my client than Mr. Trevor's blustering demands. "Maria, my dear," he said, with a deferential urbanity, "Mr. Allen is my guest, and a gentleman. When a gentleman gives his word that he is not a criminal, it is sufficient." The force of this, for some reason, did not overwhelm his wife; and her lip curled a little, half in contempt, half in risibility. "Pshaw, Fenelon," said she, "what a fraud you are. Why is it you wish to get Mr. Allen over the border, then?" A question which might well have staggered a worthier intellect. "Why, my dear," answered my client, "I wish to save Mr. Allen the inconvenience, not to say the humiliation, of being brought East in custody and strapped with a pair of handcuffs. Let him take a shooting trip to the great Northwest until the real criminal is caught." "Well, Fenelon," replied Mrs. Cooke, unable to repress a smile, "one might as well try to argue with a turn-stile or a weather-vane. I wash |
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