human
Follow grandpapa, whispered Mrs. Rivers, a highly respectable widow of about forty years of age, whom Mr. Dutton had engaged at a high salary to superintend Annie's education. The child went out, and Mrs. Rivers, addressing me, said in a low voice:
gpt
Her presence will prevent violence; but it is a sad affair. She then informed me that Hamblin, to whom Mr. Dutton allowed a hundred a year, having become aware of the grandfather's extreme fondness for Annie, systematically worked that knowledge for his own sordid ends, and preluded every fresh attack upon Mr. Dutton's purse by a threat to reclaim the child.
human
It is not the money, remarked Mrs. Rivers in conclusion,
gpt
Would not the fellow waive his claim for a settled increase of his annuity?
human
No; that has been offered to the extent of three hundred a year; but Hamblin refuses, partly from the pleasure of keeping such a man as Mr. Dutton in his power, partly because he knows that the last shilling would be parted with rather than the child. It is a very unfortunate business, and I often fear will terminate badly. The loud but indistinct wrangling without ceased after a while, and I heard a key turn stiffly in a lock.
gpt
The usual conclusion of these scenes, said Mrs. Rivers.
human
Another draft upon his strong-box will purchase Mr. Dutton a respite as long as the money lasts. I could hardly look at James Dutton when he re-entered the room. There was that in his countenance which I do not like to read in the faces of my friends. He was silent for several minutes; at last he said quickly, sternly:
gpt
Is there no instrument, Mr. Sharp, in all the enginery of law, that can defeat a worthless villain's legal claim to his child?
human
None; except, perhaps, a commission of lunacy, or--
gpt
Tush! tush! interrupted Dutton;
human
I am in a great hurry, he said,
gpt
Had it not been discovered in time, and extinguished, I observed to Mrs. Rivers,
human
Why, no, replied that lady, with some strangeness of manner.
gpt
On the night of the fire, Annie and I slept at Mr. Elsworthy's (I have omitted to notice, that my brother-in-law and family had returned to their old residence),
human
But the servants might have perished?
gpt
No. A whim, apparently, has lately seized Mr. Dutton, that no servant or laborer shall sleep under the same roof with himself; and those new outhouses, where their bedrooms are placed, are, you see, completely detached, and are indeed, as regards this dwelling, made fire-proof.
human
Well, he said,
gpt
Not insured!
human
No; not for this dwelling-house. I did not renew the policy some months ago.
gpt
Then, I jestingly remarked,
human
To be sure--to be sure, I am, he rejoined with quick earnestness, as if taking my remark seriously.
gpt
That is quite certain. Some one, I am pretty sure, it must be, he presently added,
human
It may be so, certainly.
gpt
It _must_ be so. And what, Mr. Sharp, is the highest penalty for the crime of incendiarism?
human
By the recent change in the law, transportation only; unless, indeed, loss of human life occur in consequence of the felonious act; in which case, the English law construes the offense to be willful murder, although the incendiary may not have intended the death or injury of any person.
gpt
I see. But here there could have been no loss of life.
human
There might have been, had not you, Mrs. Rivers, and Annie, chanced to sleep out of the house.
gpt
True--true--a diabolical villain, no doubt. But we'll ferret him out yet. You are a keen hand, Mr. Sharp, and will assist, I know. Yes, yes--it's some fellow that hates me--that I perhaps hate and loathe-- he added with sudden gnashing fierceness, and striking his hand with furious violence on the table--
human
Only one week's interval, I hastily remarked to Mr. Flint, one morning after glancing at the newspaper,
gpt
The deuce! He is in the luck of it, apparently,