"
"No," said he, "this is my affair only as it affects you. I simply
wished to warn you of what you might have to face; and what Judge
Ostrander will have to face (here I drop the lawyer and speak only
as a man) if he is not ready to give a more consistent explanation
of the curious facts I have mentioned."
"I cannot warn him, Mr. Black."
"You? Of course not. Nobody can warn him; possibly no one should
warn him. But I have warned YOU; and now, as a last word, let us
hope that no warning is necessary and that we shall soon see the
last of these calumniating letters and everything readjusted once
more on a firm and natural basis. Judge Ostrander's action in
reopening his house in the manner and for the purpose he has, has
predisposed many in his favour. It may, before we know it, make
the past almost forgotten."
"Meanwhile you will make an attempt to discover the author of
these anonymous attacks?"
"To save YOU from annoyance."
Obliged to make acknowledgment of the courtesy if not kindness
prompting these words, Mrs. Scoville expressed her gratitude and
took farewell in a way which did not seem to be at all displeasing
to the crusty lawyer; but when she found herself once more in the
streets, her anxiety and suspense took on a new phase. What was at
the bottom of Mr. Black's contradictory assertions? Sympathy with
her, as he would have her believe, or a secret feeling of
animosity towards the man he openly professed to admire?
XX
WHAT HAD MADE THE CHANGE?
"Reuther, sit up here close by mother and let me talk to you for a
little while.
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