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left her own people to join a fine gentleman； and that； being
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deserted by him； and cast off by her old friends； she had sworn
within her own proud breast； that whatever her misery might be；
she would ask no help of any human being。 He told him that she
had kept her word to the last； and that； meeting even him in the
streets—he had been fond of her once； it seems—she had slipped
from him by a trick； and he never saw her again； until； being in
one of the frequent crowds at Tyburn； with some of his rough
companions； he had been driven almost mad by seeing； in the
criminal under another name； whose death he had come to
witness； herself。 Standing in the same place in which she had
stood； he told the hangman this； and told him； too； her real name；
which only her own people and the gentleman for whose sake she
had left them； knew。 That name he will tell again； Sir John； to
none but you。’
‘To none but me！’ exclaimed the knight； pausing in the act of
raising his cup to his lips with a perfectly steady hand； and curling
up his little finger for the better display of a brilliant ring with
which it was ornamented： ‘but me！—My dear Mr Varden； how
very preposterous； to select me for his confidence！ With you at his
elbow； too； who are so perfectly trustworthy！’
‘Sir John； Sir John；’ returned the locksmith； ‘at twelve
tomorrow； these men die。 Hear the few words I have to add； and
do not hope to deceive me； for though I am a plain man of humble
station； and you are a gentleman of rank and learning； the truth
raises me to your level； and I know that you anticipate the
disclosure with which I am about to end； and that you believe this
doomed man； Hugh； to be your son。’
‘Nay；’ said Sir John； bantering him with a gay air； ‘the wild
gentleman； who died so suddenly； scarcely went as far as that； I
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think？’
‘He did not；’ returned the locksmith； ‘for she had bound him by
some pledge； known only to these people； and which the worst
among them respect； not to tell your name： but； in a fantastic
pattern on the stick； he had carved some letters； and when the
hangman asked it； he bade him； especially if he should ever meet
with her son in after life； remember that place well。’
‘What place？’
‘Chester。’
The knight finished his cup of chocolate with an appearance of
infinite relish； and carefully wiped his lips upon his handkerchief。
‘Sir John；’ said the locksmith； ‘this is all that has been told to
me； but since these two men have been left for death； they have
conferred together closely。 See them； and hear what they can add。
See this Dennis； and learn from him what he has not trusted to
me。 If you； who hold the clue to all； want corroboration （which you
do not）； the means are easy。’
‘And to what；’ said Sir John Chester； rising on his elbow； after
smoothing the pillow for its reception； ‘my dear； good…natured；
estimable Mr Varden—with whom I cannot be angry if I would—to
what does all this tend？’
‘I take you for a man； Sir John； and I suppose it tends to some
pleading of natural affection in your breast；’ returned the
locksmith。 ‘I suppose to the straining of every nerve； and the
exertion of all the influence you have； or can make； in behalf of
your miserable son； and the man who has disclosed his existence
to you。 At the worst； I suppose to your seeing your son； and
awakening him to a sense of his crime and danger。 He has no such
sense now。 Think what his life must have been； when he said in
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my hearing； that if I moved you to anything； it would be to
hastening his death； and ensuring his silence； if you had it in your
power！’
‘And have you； my good Mr Varden；’ said Sir John in a tone of
mild reproof； ‘have you really lived to your present age； and
remained so very simple and credulous； as to approach a
gentleman of established character with such credentials as these；
from desperate men in their last extremity； catching at any straw？
Oh dear！ Oh fie； fie！’
The locksmith was going to interpose； but he stopped him：
‘On any other subject； Mr Varden； I shall be delighted—I shall
be charmed—to converse with you； but I owe it to my own
character not to pursue this topic for another moment。’
‘Think better of it； sir； when I am gone；’ returned the locksmith；
‘think better of it； sir。 Although you have； thrice within as many
weeks； turned your lawful son； Mr Edward； from your door； you
may have time； you may have years to make your peace with him；
Sir John： but that twelve o’clock will soon be here； and soon be
past for ever。’
‘I thank you very much；’ returned the knight； kissing his
delicate hand to the locksmith； ‘for your guileless advice； and I
only wish； my good soul； although your simplicity is quite
captivating； that you had a little more worldly wisdom。 I never so
much regretted the arrival of my hairdresser as I do at this
moment。 God bless you！ Good morning！ You’ll not forget my
message to the ladies； Mr Varden？ Peak； show Mr Varden to the
door。’
Gabriel said no more； but gave the knight a parting look； and
left him。 As he quitted the room； Sir John’s face changed； and the
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smile gave place to a haggard and anxious expression； like that of
a weary actor jaded by the performance of a difficult part。 He rose
from his bed with a heavy sigh； and wrapped himself in his
morning…gown。
‘So she kept her word；’ he said； ‘and was constant to her threat！
I would I had never seen that dark face of hers；—I might have
read these consequences in it； from the first。 This affair would
make a noise abroad； if it rested on better evidence； but； as it is；
and by not joining the scattered links of the chain； I can afford to
slight it。—Extremely distressing to be the parent of such an
uncouth creature！ Still； I gave him very good advice。 I told him he
would certainly be hanged。 I could have done no more if I had
known of our relationship； and there are a great many fathers who
have never done as much for their natural children。—The
hairdresser may come in； Peak！’
The hairdresser came in； and saw in Sir John Chester （whose
accommodating conscience was soon quieted by the numerous
precedents that occurred to him in support of his last observation）；
the same imperturbable； fascinating； elegant gentleman he had
seen yesterday； and many yesterdays before。
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Chapter 76
s the locksmith walked slowly away from Sir John
AChester’s chambers； he lingered under the trees which
shaded the path； almost hoping that he might be
summoned to return。 H