The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-11-26

two ways Of bringing this inquiry successfully
TO an end. One Of thoee ways look upon as
q certainty. The other, admit, is bold e1-
pertinent, and nothing more. Your ladyship
shall decide. Shall we take the certainty frs" :"
My mistress made him sign 10 take his own
way and choose for himself.
Thank you,' said the Sergeant 'we'nbe-
gin with the certainty, as your ladyship Is 80
goc.l As TO leave il 10 me. Whether Miss Verin-
der remains at Freezinghall, or whether she re
turns here. propose, in either case, to keep q
strict watch ON all her proceedings-on the
people she sees, on the rides or walks she may
take, and ON the letters she may write or re-
eeiye.'
.what next p asked my mistress.
Il shall next answered the Sergeant, 'ro-
quest your lsdyship's leave to introduce into
the house, as q servant in the place Of Rosan-
na Spearman, n woman accustomed TO private
inquiries Of this sort, for whose discretion can
answer
what nextr repeated my mistress.
Next proceeded the sergeant, and last,
propose 10 send one OF my brother officers TO
make an arrangement with that money-lender
in London, whom mentioned Just now as for
merly acquitted with Rosanna Spcarman--and
whose name and address, your ladyship may
rely ON il, have been communicated by R0sanna
10 Mis- Verinder. don't deny that the co;rse
Of action an now suggesting viii cost money
and consume time. But the result is certain.
We run n line round the Moonstone, and we
draw that line closer ami closer till we hnd II In
Miss Yerinder's possession. supposing she de-
ciles 10 keep il. II her debts press, and she
decides on sending IL away, then we have our
man ready, and we meet the Moonstone on its
arrival In London" ...
To hear her own daughter made the subject
Of such proposal as this stung my mistress
into speaking angrily for the first time.
Consider your proposal declined, in every
particular she said. 'And 20 on to your other
way Of bringing the inquiry TO an end
My other way said the sergeant, going on
rs easy as ever, lis 10 try that boli experiment
b. which have alluded. I think have form
ell pretty correct estimate OF Miss Verinder's
temperament. She Is quite capable according
to my belief) Of committing daring fraud.
But she is too hot and impetuous in temper,
and too little accustomed TO deceit rs habit, to
act the hypocrite in small things and TO restrain
herself under all provocations. Her feelings,
in this case, have repeatedly got beyond her
control, at the very time when IL was plainly
her interest 10 conceal them. Ii is on this pc
culisrity in her character that now propose TO
act. want TO give her great shock sudden
ly, under circumstances which win touch her
TO the quick. In plain English, want TO tell
Miss Verinder, without woad Of warning, OF
RoSanna's death, on the chance that her own
better feelings will hurry into making n clean
breast Of it. Does your ladyship accept that
slternatiyel'
Ny mistress astonished me beyond all power
Of expression. She answered him ON the in
slant
YES; I do
The pOuy.chaise is ready said the sergeant
Il wish your lahyship goOl-morning.'
My lady held up her hand, and stopped him
al the door.
MY daughters better feelings shall be ap
pealed to rs you PROPOSE she said. But
claim the right as her mother, Of putting her 10
the test myself You will remain here, If you
please; and will 20 to PriIiughall.'
For once in his life the great Cuff stood
specchless with amazement, like an ordinary
man.
My mistress rang the bell and ordered her
waterproof things; the rain was still pouring;
aud the close carriage had gone, rs you know,
with Miss Rachel TO Friringhall tried 10 dis
suade her ladyship from facing the severity Of
the weather. Quite useless! asked leave to
20 with her, and hold the umbrella. She would
not hear Of IL. The pony-chaise came round,
with the groom in charge.
You may rely on two things she said 10
Sergeant Cuff, in the hall. Il will try the cx-
pertinent on Miss verinder IS boldly Us you
could try II yourself And will inform you Of
the result, either personally or by letter,
before the last train leaves for London to-
night
With that she stepped into the chaisc, and,
taking the rains herself, drove of to Frizing-
hall.