Jacks, in demeanour, in
phraseology, and in sentiments; not without success.
CHAPTER XXIV
On one of those evenings at the seaside, Dr. Derwent, glancing over
the newspapers, came upon a letter signed "Lee Hannaford." It had
reference to some current dispute about the merits of a new bullet.
Hannaford, writing with authority, criticised the invention; he gave
particulars (the result of an experiment on an old horse) as to its
mode of penetrating flesh and shattering bone; there was a gusto in
his style, that of the true artist in bloodshed. pointing out the
signature to Arnold Jacks, Dr. Derwent asked in a subdued tone, as
when one speaks of something shameful:
"Have you seen or heard of him lately?"
"About ten days ago," replied Arnold. "He was at the Hyde Wilson's,
and he had the impertinence to congratulate me. He did it, too,
before other people, so that I couldn't very well answer as I
wished. You are aware, by the bye, that he is doing very well--
belongs to a firm of manufacturers of explosives?"
"Indeed?--I wish he would explode his own head off."
The Doctor spoke with most unwonted fierceness. Arnold Jacks,
without verbally seconding the wish, showed by an uneasy smile that
he would not have mourned the decease of this relative of the
Derwents. Mrs. Hannaford's position involved no serious scandal, but
Arnold had a strong dislike for any sort of social irregularity;
here was the one detail of his future wife's family circumstances
which he desired to forget.
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