All this, father"--turning
once more to the old man--"passes a jest."
"Yes, indeed," replied Lord Barminster sarcastically; "for a Leroy, who
can command a hundred thousand pounds by a stroke of his pen, to forge a
bill for ten thousand pounds is not a jest, but simple madness. The
charge is some insolent conspiracy."
Almost unconsciously, he fixed his glance on Jasper Vermont, who, during
the whole time, had sat motionless and silent. It seemed as if he
guessed, intuitively, that that smooth individual was at the bottom of
it all. Then he turned his grey eyes to Adrien's calm face, and from his
to the white one of Lady Constance, whose eyes were flashing with anger
at the mere idea of any one doubting Adrien's honour.
There was a moment's silence, broken by Shelton, who rose and grasped
his friend's hand.
"Adrien," he said, in a voice charged with emotion, "Adrien, I can bear
this no longer. Give this foul accusation the lie. I know, my dear
fellow, as surely as I know that I did not write it myself, that you had
nothing to do with the accursed signature. But, for Heaven's sake, tell
the others so too."
Adrien returned the friendly clasp with a smile that lit up his whole
face; then looking round, he said quietly:
"I did not write it; I know nothing of it.
Pages:
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288