“But you won’t desert her?”
“I’ll do what I can—bound to do that—but as to paying her a visit, that’s all my eye—won’t do at any price. So you see, old man, I’ve been thinking the matter over, and have come to the conclusion that you might serve poor Lorry.”
“Me?”
“Yes, there would be no harm in you running down to Clickborne, and having a squint at her. She wants to arrange a few matters, and keep the whole affair dark, for the present at all events, till she sees how matters go. Perhaps she may be able to pull through, do you see? and in that case her friends here in London will be none the wiser.”
“She’s not given her own name, I suppose?”
“Oh, Lord, no! She’s too fly for that. Well, what say you? Are you willing?”
“In course I am. She’s done a good turn when I hadn’t a shoe to my foot, or a rag to my back. Will I go?—like a shot! Tell me where it is, and I am all there.”
“You are a good fellow, Bill; I always said so, and are the first to help anyone who is in distress.”
“Oh, gammon and all! Don’t lay it on too thick, Charlie.”
“I mean what I say.”