‘I don’t care how you state it,—state it as you like. Only—only I want you to soak her mind with a loathing of the fellow; I—I—I want you to paint him in his true colours; in—in—in fact, I—I want you to choke him off.’
While he still struggled with his words, and with the perspiration on his brow, Edwards entered. I turned to him.
‘What is it?’
‘Miss Lindon, sir, wishes to see you particularly, and at once.’
At that moment I found the announcement a trifle perplexing,—it delighted Lindon. He began to stutter and to stammer.
‘T-the very thing!—c-couldn’t have been better!—show her in here! H-hide me somewhere,—I don’t care where,—behind that screen! Y-you use your influence with her;—g-give her a good talking to;—t-tell her what I’ve told you; and at—at the critical moment I’ll come in, and then—then if we can’t manage her between us, it’ll be a wonder.’
The proposition staggered me.
‘But, my dear Mr Lindon, I fear that I cannot—’
He cut me short.
‘Here she comes!’