"
"What witness, sir?"
"Your mistress's quadroon maid, who came to my brother this
morning, and who has made her deposition in due form."
"And who is as false as hell," I cried out passionately, "in
every word she says against my mistress and against me."
"I hope--no, I will go further, and say I believe she is false,"
said Mr. Philip. "But her perjury must he proved, and the
necessary examination must take place. My carriage is going back
to my brother's, and you will go in it, in charge of one of my
men, who has the warrant to take you in custody. I shall remain
here with the man who is waiting in the hall; and before any
steps are taken to execute the other warrant, I shall send for
the doctor to ascertain when your mistress can be removed."
"Oh, my poor mistress!" I said, "this will be the death of her,
sir."
"I will take care that the shock shall strike her as tenderly as
possible," said Mr. Philip. "I am here for that express purpose.
She has my deepest sympathy and respect, and shall have every
help and alleviation that I can afford her."
The hearing him say that, and the seeing how sincerely he meant
what he said, was the first gleam of comfort in the dreadful
affliction that had befallen us. I felt this; I felt a burning
anger against the wretch who had done her best to ruin my
mistress's fair name and mine, but in every other respect I was
like a man who had been stunned, and whose faculties had not
perfectly recovered from the shock.
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