"Wait until we can see how to proceed."
"Well, I don't see any way; and, besides, I am about discouraged, now this is added to the other disgrace; and to think that I am not responsible for either!" exclaimed Fred, with deep emotion.
"I think you were responsible, to a certain extent, for the first," said his father.
"How was I responsible when De Vere led me into it, and had my drink adulterated?"
"You were to be blamed for going to the bar at all. You should not have been influenced by such a fellow as that scamp."
"Yes, I know I didn't do right in that respect, but I had no reason to suppose that such a result would follow."
"One hardly ever does when he is being led on to do some wrong act by a crafty villain."
"Matthew probably would have had his revenge in some other way, if he had not succeeded in his first trial."
"Very true; but had it been in some other form, it might have been shown that he was the guilty party; whereas now it would seem that you were the author of your own misfortune, while the real agent of the occurrence goes unsuspected, and exults in your downfall."
"I thought he wanted to be friends with me, so I tried not to displease him."