Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-07-19
CHAP. XII.
The Spider sceaUss his sceb.

tional craft from experience. Having once
caught sight of his fly, his habit was to set
about catching it without delay. But he took
his measures none the less cautiously. Hence,
on the morning he had fixed upon to seek an
interview with Leonard Wray, he paid more
than ordinary attention to his toilet. Evident
" he had due regard for appearances, at
least to-day. No doubt he had in his time
learnt their full value, and had good reasons
for his determination to allow them to do their
best for him on the present occasion. In his
prim suit Of glossy black, and his highly var
nished boots, not to forget his hat Of brilliant
Jet, he looked like sleek old raven, fresh
plumed.
So he set out jauntily picking his way, and,
as he went along, composing his features into
their most placid expression. II was wonder
full how many honest folks wore deceived by it,
casually observing him as no passed, and sum-
ming him up. II might not, perhaps, have
much flattercd his vanity to make this dscov-
cry, for his own mind had long ago been made
up to the delusion that he looked honest, at
any rate; to do which, BIO it said, by the way,
is not unfrequently surer passport to favor,
as the world wags than to be.so
And it would have proved difficult task to
persuade him that he was really not pattern
OF integrity for, like most folks, he had
weakness for his own standard of morality.
His was strictly legal one, approximating
somewhat to that Of the Spartans, who, as ira
dition goes, attached the idea Of criminality
less to the perpetration Of theft than to it's dis
covery. So Gaetano, whose elastic conscience
readily accommodated itself to whatever the
law covered. 1t certainly left him an extern
sive margin for operations, but that was no
fault Of his.
The porter and the waiter at the hotel where
Leonard was staying, were highly fattercd by
the understanding manner in which no lifted
his hat to them, as he inquired Of the one, in
the blandest Of tones whether Monsieur
Wray was visible an and intimated to the other
that che would do himself the pleasure of fol-
lowing him to Monsieur Ways apartment"
The breaking Of his vanished Wellingtons, as
he passed through the vestibule, at the door Of
which stood the boots, laboring to raise pol
ish on the surface of pair Of common English
Butchers, impressed this functionary with q
high sense Of the visitors Importance, and in
spired him with q feeling Of contempt for the
owner Of the Bluchers, and for these articles
themselves, which obstinately refused to be
coaxed out of their dullness
Leonard and Mildred were both at table !;
and seated at the Preside, with his slippered
feet on the low hearth, was Zachariah Grit
| disturb you'll Pardon! A thousand par
dons, Mademoiselle, and Of you, Monsieur"
said Gaetano, on entering.
Leonard merely rose, expecting the stran-
gers explanation Of his visit.
You have my card, presume added the
attorney, mcekly, after pause, during which
Grit looked round, and considered him atten-
lively.
Monsieur PelIigrini, attorney-at-law,D OBJ
served Leonard, CHANGING Mt the GARD, as it lay
on the table. "Until now, l had not the honor
OF your acquaintance
Leonard handed him O chair. Pelligrini
seated himself took off one glove, put it into
his hat, and set his hat down on the floor.
His eyes, meanwhile, were fixed upon Mildred,
whilst curiously enough, his thoughts reverted
to Marks recent description of her as q
"pretty piece of property an opinion in
which he mentally conceded. From her, he
directed his gaze towards Grit-who returned
his stare with interest-and at last brought
his eyes round again to Leonard.
al am come on business, he observed, softly,
and again glancing round at Mildred and
Zachariah.
my sister and my friend, sir,n answered
Leonard, care none too many. What may
your business be with me, sir ~
The attorney took of his other glove, picked
up his hat put the glove into it, and set it on
his knee
"It might be rs well--better permit me to
remark" he answered, deliberately, "if we
were alone. But if you do not object, Of course,
Monsieur, ought to have no scruplesn
Leonard inclined his head, in intimation Of
his acqniescence in the same views.
" have not the honor, Sir Wrayn continued
4 ho at A. H. a "A
Madame, your amiable lady; beg pardon
Mademoiselle. your charming sister and Won
do not know me, even by reputation, it seems
! should have been pleased enchanted, if the
acquaintance had commenced under circum-
stances less disagreeablc for me, though ]
hope-pern,it me to say, l really desire-to
meet the case in the most frank and liberal
spirit
Mildred looked blank, and turned pale; for
though she understood nothing of what he
meant or alluded to, she experienced an inward
sensation Of coming evil, q presentiment OF
misfortunc, which she could not account for.
1Pray, sir, explain yourself" replied Leon
ard, observing his sister change color. "What
case do you refer tot am not aware Of hay-
ing involved myself in Paris in any matter re-
CURING tho interference Of gentleman Of the
law
"in few words, then, Monsieur" resumed
Gactano-and here the long fingers worked
certain person now in Paris has
become my debtor, to q very considerable
amount You probably know him. His name
is Avelingn
Mildred uttered faint exclamation Of ter
ror, and sat riveted to her chair looking fxcdly
at the stranger. Grit slowly turned his head,
and thrust his hand down behind his neck,
beneath his coat, with very peculiar motion,
ne IL feeling for something concealed there,
and then stood up. Leonard said nothing He
only ret his lips hard together, giving an Affirm
alive sign OF the head
"Weli, Monsieur, my client informs me that
you are---prsy pardon me for the allusion, but
you will understand that in matters Of bust
ness one cannot help speaking Of facts--that
you are in his debit
"It il true. | have that misfortune OBJ
served Leonard, looking uneasily across at his
sister.
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