I know my station well enough to be aware that,
strictly speaking, I have done wrong, and far exceeded my duty,
in telling you as much as I have told you already; but I would go
through fire and water, sir," says I, feeling my own eyes getting
moist, "for my mistress's sake. She has no relation here who can
speak to you; and it is even better that a servant like me should
risk being guilty of an impertinence, than that dreadful and
lasting mischief should arise from the right remedy not being
applied at the right time. This is what I should do, sir, in your
place. Saving your presence, I should leave off crying; and go
back home and write to Mr. James Smith, saying that I would not,
as a clergyman, give him railing for railing, but would prove how
unworthily he had suspected me by ceasing to visit at the Hall
from thi s time forth, rather than be a cause of dissension
between man and wife. If you will put that into proper language,
sir, and will have the letter ready for me in half an hour's
time, I will call for it on the fastest horse in our stables,
and, at my own risk, will give it to my master before he sails
to-night. I have nothing more to say, sir, except to ask your
pardon for forgetting my proper place, and for making bold to
speak on a very serious matter as equal to equal, and as man to
man.
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