Dolly was staring at him, with eyes wide open.
“And pray, how did he discover I was in London, sir?” I said. “I was about to ask how you knew of it, but that is one and the same thing.”
He shot at me a look not to be solved.
“It is not well to bite the hand that lifts you out of the fire, Richard,” said he.
“You had not gained admission to this house were I not on my back, Mr. Allen.”
“And that same circumstance is a blessing for you,” he cried.
'Twas then I saw Dorothy making me mute signals of appeal.
“I cannot think why you are here, Mr. Allen,” I said. “When you consider all the harm you have done me, and all the double-dealing I may lay at your door, can you blame me for my feelings?”
“No,” he answered, with more soberness than he had yet used; “I honour you for them. And perchance I am here to atone for some of that harm. For I like you, my lad, and that's God's truth.”
“All this is neither here nor there, Mr. Allen,” I exclaimed, wholly out of patience. “If you have come with a message, let me have it. If not, I beg you get out of my sight, for I have neither the will nor the desire for palavering.”