The easy sensibilities of Judge Custis were at once moved. Senator Clayton, looking from one to the other in nervous indecision, seeing Custis's dewy eyes, and Randel's proud breaking down, was himself carried away, and shouted:
"I goy! This is a conspiracy. But, Randel, I'll take your case; I can't see a man cry. Goy!"
As they all arose sympathetically and shook hands, a knock came on the door, and there was a call for Mr. Clayton. He returned in a few minutes, with a rather grim countenance, and said:
"Randel, I have just declined a big round retaining-fee to defend the very suit your tears and Brother Custis's have persuaded me to prosecute. But, goy! a tear always robbed me of a dollar."
"This sympathy to-day will make you an independent man for life," exclaimed the engineer.
"I have done Milburn's first errand right," Judge Custis thought; "five minutes' delay would have been fatal."
Chapter XXXII.
GARTER-SNAKES.
At Princess Anne Vesta had moved her husband to Teackle Hall, and he occupied her father's room and seemed to be growing better, though the doctor said that he had best be sent to the hills somewhere.