"It is heartbreaking," said Mr. Dowsett mournfully, turning his head, "to find a stranger's counsel preferred to mine."
"No, no," cried George Carton, "I declare to you, no! But you would have me do nothing, and I cannot obey you. I cannot--I cannot sit idly down, and make no effort in the cause of justice. My dear Lizzie is dead, and I do not care to live. But I will live for one thing--revenge!"
"Be calm," I said, taking the young man's fevered hand, "and listen to me. I wish you to take this letter and desk to my wife, and deliver them to her with your own hands. Will you do so?"
"You must not part with them under any pretext or persuasion until you place them in my wife's possession."
"No one shall touch them till she receives them."
"You must go at once, for she is anxious about me. I intend to sleep here to-night. And when you have done what I ask you, I beg you to go home with your guardian, and have a good night's rest."
He looked discontented at this, but Mr. Dowsett said, "Be persuaded, George, be persuaded!"
"Believe me," I said, speaking very earnestly, "that it will be for the best."
"Very well, sir. I will do as you desire. But"--turning to Mr. Dowsett--"no opiates. If sleep comes to me, it shall come naturally."
"I promise you, George," said Mr. Dowsett; "and now let us go. Thank you, sir, thank you a thousand times, for having prevailed upon my ward to do what is right. Come, George, come."
He was so anxious to get the young man away that he advanced a few steps quickly; thus for two or three moments Carton and I were alone.
"Shall I see you to-morrow, sir," asked Carton.
"In all probability," I replied; "but do not seek me here. I have your address, and will either call upon or write to you."
"Yes. By following my instructions you will be rendering me practical assistance."
"Very well, sir. I put all my trust in you."
"Are you coming, George?" cried Mr. Dowsett, looking back.
"Yes, I am ready," said the young man, joining his guardian; and presently they were both out of sight.
I reëntered the house. Fanny Lemon was still in the passage.
"Fanny," I said, "I cannot keep long with you, as I have business up-stairs with Mr. Devlin; but I wish to impress upon you not to speak to a single soul of what has passed between us to-day. Say nothing to anybody about Mr. Lemon being ill, and, above all, do not call in a doctor. Doctors are apt to be inquisitive, and it is of the highest importance that curiosity shall not be aroused in the minds of the neighbours. There is nothing radically wrong with Lemon; he has received a fright, and his nerves are shaken, that is all. Tell him that I have taken his place with Devlin, and that the partnership is at an end. That will relieve his mind. Keep him quiet, and give him nothing to drink but milk or barley water. Lower his system, Fanny, lower his system."