The Dugdale Millions — page 117: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

PLAVING THE KNAVE. 107 that you had an attraction for each other. I was sat- isfied. I had formed a good opinion of you, and the inquiries touching your habits and character, which I thought in the interest of Wallis it was my duty to make, confirmed it.’’ Dick was highly amused, but he did not interrupt . Mr, Stanton. “But last night Mrs. Stanton informed me I was wholly mistaken. From Wallis she had learned that you entertained an affection for Hetlow’s girl—an affection of long standing which is reciprocated by Bessie, but opposed by Hetlow. And that the motive lying at the bottom of your search is the obtaining of Hetlow’s consent.”’ ‘“There is truth and error in your statement,’’ inter- jected Dick. ‘‘Permit me to state my case,’’ urged Mr. Stanton. ‘Now I have thrown myself heartily into the effort to assist you in this search, and I am giving you aid and comfort by having you at my house. I ama neighbor of Mr. Hetlow, and have made professions of friend- ship for him. I don’t want to be placed in a false position. While pretending to be his friend, I don’t want to be open to the charge of playing a treacherous part, as I would be, if knowing of your suit and his opposition, I were to continue to afford you the oppor- tunity to communicate with Bessie. I don’t want you to stop coming to my house. You are only too wel- come. But, if this statement is a true bill, I want permission to explain my position to Hetlow. I didn’t want to say these things to you in my own house, so I have come to you here, for a frank under- standing between us.’’ Notwithstanding Dick’s assurance in the beginning that he would take no offense, he nevertheless did feel his heat rising as the old lawyer talked. But making the effort to curb his annoyance, he was enabled to think upon the matter calmiy for a moment or two, Comicbooclk C@© 3