Sewell promised this faithfully, and withdrew.
“If ever an old fool wanted to run his head into a noose,” muttered he, “here is one; the slightest blunder on my part, intentional or not, and this great Baron of the Exchequer might be shown up as abetting treason. To be sure, he has given me nothing under his hand—nothing in writing—I wonder was that designedly or not; he is so crafty in the middle of all his passion.” Thus meditating, he went on his mission.
CHAPTER XII. SOME OF SEWELL'S OPINIONS
Sewell was well received by the magistrate, and promised that he should be admitted to see the prisoner on the next morning; having communicated which tidings to the Chief Baron, he went off to dine with his mother in Merrion Square.
“Isn't Lucy coming?” said Lady Lendrick, as he entered the drawing-room alone.
“No. I told her I wanted a long confidential talk with you; I hinted that she might find it awkward if one of the subjects discussed should happen to be herself, and advised her to stay at home, and she concurred with me.”
“You are a great fool, Dudley, to treat her in that fashion. I tell you there never was a woman in the world who could forgive it.”
“I don't want her to forgive it, mother; there 's the mistake you are always making. The way she baffles me is by non-resistance. If I could once get her to resent something—anything—I could win the game.”
“Perhaps some one might resent for her,” said she, dryly.