“I must go and see my father. Did you not say he wished it?”
“Stay,” said Mr. Sharp; “whatever is to be done must be done cautiously, or your cousin’s suspicions will be aroused, and your purpose frustrated. I will arrange matters, if you will authorize me.”
“Surely; but let not the delay be too long. Perhaps my father will die before I can see him.”
“I will take care to expedite matters.”
“I leave all in your hands; but tell me at least where you have obtained the information you have communicated.”
“From your cousin himself.”
“Did he confess it, then?” asked Mr. Ford, surprised.
“He consulted me professionally. But, sir,” continued Mr. Sharp, in a tone of lofty consciousness, “as soon as I became aware of the iniquity in which he desired my assistance, I at once determined to do all that might be in my power to defeat his nefarious designs.”
Nothing could exceed the moral dignity with which Mr. Sharp uttered these words.
“I will not tell you,” he continued, with commendable self-denial, “how many thousands your cousin offered, if I would assist him. But for the hope of aiding in his discomfiture, I should have rejected his offers with indignation. Money is no temptation to me where right is concerned. But to the point. In the present case, I temporized. Your cousin even now thinks I am devoted to his interests, and it is best that he should not be undeceived.”