But
providentially, you see, it was war-time, and very soon after I had the
good luck to show that I was not a poule mouillee, as the French call it;
and the man who insulted me, and whom I forgave, became my fastest
friend, and died by my side--it was poor Jack Cutler--at Argaum. We must
go and ask Barnes Newcome's pardon, sir, and forgive other people's
trespasses, my boy, if we hope forgiveness of our own." His voice sank
down as he spoke, and he bowed his honest head reverently. I have heard
his son tell the simple story years afterwards, with tears in his eyes.
Piccadilly was hardly yet awake the next morning, and the sparkling dews
and the poor homeless vagabonds still had possession of the grass of Hyde
Park, as the pair walked up to Sir Brian Newcome's house, where the
shutters were just opening to let in the day. The housemaid, who was
scrubbing the steps of the house, and washing its trim feet in a manner
which became such a polite mansion's morning toilet, knew Master Clive,
and smiled at him from under her blousy curl-papers, admitting the two
gentlemen into Sir Brian's dining-room, where they proposed to wait until
Mr.
Pages:
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342