“If you care for me, sir, it’s your duty to tell me the honest truth about everything. Am I less than Richard Trevor?”
Bodily, of course, she was; but as she meant in his regards, he said she was all the world to him.
“Now, then,” said Fin, “does he go to see that girl now?”
“Yes,” said Pratt; “but I’m sure it’s all in innocence. The poor girl is in a dying state. I went to see her with him once, and a sweeter creature you never saw.”
“Then she has captivated you, too?” cried Fin, viciously.
“Oh, come—I say!” exclaimed Pratt. “Fin, that goes right to my heart.”
“And now about Vanleigh. You’ve boasted over and over again that you could produce something which would put a stop to his pretensions—where is it?”
“You are so hard on a poor fellow,” said Pratt. “I am trying my best, and I feel quite sure that he has no right to pretend to the hand of your sister; but then, you know, before one makes such a charge, there must be good personal and documentary evidence.”
“Well,” exclaimed Pin, “and where is it?”
“I haven’t got it yet,” said Pratt; “but I have tried very, very hard. I shall succeed, though, yet, I know.”