He sat quite silent until they were serious again,
and then said, looking round:
'We are very pleasant here; so very pleasant, Dennis, that but for my
lord's particular desire that I should sup with him, and the time being
very near at hand, I should be inclined to stay, until it would be
hardly safe to go homeward. I come upon a little business--yes, I do--as
you supposed. It's very flattering to you; being this. If we ever
should be obliged--and we can't tell, you know--this is a very uncertain
world'--
'I believe you, Muster Gashford,' interposed the hangman with a grave
nod. 'The uncertainties as I've seen in reference to this here state of
existence, the unexpected contingencies as have come about!--Oh my eye!'
Feeling the subject much too vast for expression, he puffed at his pipe
again, and looked the rest.
'I say,' resumed the secretary, in a slow, impressive way; 'we can't
tell what may come to pass; and if we should be obliged, against our
wills, to have recourse to violence, my lord (who has suffered terribly
to-day, as far as words can go) consigns to you two--bearing in mind my
recommendation of you both, as good staunch men, beyond all doubt and
suspicion--the pleasant task of punishing this Haredale.
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