I am sure, beforehand,
that (with all your experience) the circumstances have fatally misled
you in this case. Mind! I am in possession of no private information. I
am as absolutely shut out of my daughter's confidence as you are. My one
reason for speaking positively, is the reason you have heard already. I
know my child."
She turned to me, and gave me her hand. I kissed it in silence. "You may
go on," she said, facing the Sergeant again as steadily as ever.
Sergeant Cuff bowed. My mistress had produced but one effect on him. His
hatchet-face softened for a moment, as if he was sorry for her. As to
shaking him in his own conviction, it was plain to see that she had
not moved him by a single inch. He settled himself in his chair; and he
began his vile attack on Miss Rachel's character in these words:
"I must ask your ladyship," he said, "to look this matter in the face,
from my point of view as well as from yours. Will you please to suppose
yourself coming down here, in my place, and with my experience? and will
you allow me to mention very briefly what that experience has been?"
My mistress signed to him that she would do this.
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