The moment of amusement gave a cheerfulness to her
voice as she said—-
"We have been doing sad injustice all this time; that is the worst of
it. For the rest, we shall be no worse off than we were before."
"It will be in Allen's power to make up to you a good deal. That is
a fortunate arrangement, but I am afraid it cannot take place till
the girl is of age."
"You are all in such haste," said Bobus. "It would take a good deal
to make me accept such an informal scrap as this. No doubt one could
drive a coach and horses through it."
"That would not lessen the injustice," said his mother.
"Could there not be a compromise?" said Allen.
"That is nonsense," said his uncle. "Either _this_ will stand, or
_that_, and I am afraid this is the later. April 18th. Was that the
time of that absurd practical joke of yours?"
"Too true," said Allen. "You recollect the old brute said I should
remember it."
"Witnesses—-? There's Gomez, the servant who was drowned on his way
out after his dismissal—-Elizabeth Brook-—is it-—servant. -—Who is to
find her out?"
"Richards may know."
"It is not our business to hunt up the witnesses. That's the look-
out of the other party," said Bobus impatiently.
"You don't suppose I mean to contest it?" said his mother.
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