“Oh, my goodness!” murmured poor Mr. Marrable; and then, seeing that she was determined, he admitted that he might have mentioned that too.
“Tell me, and tell me the truth, mind,” continued the young girl, earnestly, “when you knew that son, years ago that was, of course, when he was a child, was there anything the matter with him?”
Mr. Marrable stared at her piteously, as if feeling he could hope for no mercy from this excited female.
“Nothing,” murmured he feebly, “nothing of any consequence, that is to say, beyond, of course, being deaf and dumb.”
To his horror, the young lady sprang up with a wild cry, clasping her hands as if she had received a revelation.
“Deaf—and—dumb!”
And, uttering these words, she sank back fainting on the sofa.
CHAPTER XXXI. BLACKMAIL.
Poor Mr. Marrable was very much frightened by the effect of his words upon Chris. He rushed to the door of the room, and summoned Mrs. Abercarne with frantic cries.