With this grisly spectre at his elbow Barnabas rose and dressed, and
went downstairs to make a pretence of breaking his fast.
"Sir," said Peterby, watching how he sat staring down moodily at the
table, "sir, you eat nothing."
"No, John, I'm not hungry," he answered, pushing his plate aside.
"By the way, did you find the cottage I mentioned in my note? Though,
indeed, you've had very little time."
"Yes, sir, I found one just beyond Lewisham, small, though
comfortable. Here is the key, sir."
"Thank you, John," said Barnabas, and thereafter sat staring
gloomily at the key until Peterby spoke again:
"Sir, pray forgive me, but I fear you are in some trouble. Is it
your misunderstanding with Viscount Devenham? I couldn't help but
overhear, and--"
"Ah, yes--even the Viscount has quarrelled with me," sighed Barnabas,
"next it will be the Marquis, I suppose, and after him--Gad, John
Peterby--I shall have only you left!"
"Indeed, sir, you will always have me--always!"
"Yes, John, I think I shall."
"Sir, when you--gave a miserable wretch another chance to live and
be a man, you were young and full of life.
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