Montreville's character. But surely the mere
suspicion"----
"The mere suspicion, Mr. Hartley, can have no weight with me,
considering that I can oppose to it the testimony of the man with whom I
am willing to share my future fortunes. You acknowledge the question is
but doubtful, and should not the assertion of him of whom I think so
highly decide my belief in a doubtful matter? What, indeed, must he be,
should this Madame Montreville be other than he represented her?"
"What must he be, indeed!" thought Hartley internally, but his lips
uttered not the words. He looked down in a deep reverie, and at length
started from it at the words of Miss Gray.
"It is time to remind you, Mr. Hartley, that we must needs part. God
bless and preserve you."
"And you, dearest Menie," exclaimed Hartley as he sunk on one knee, and
pressed to his lips the hand which she held out to him. "God bless
you!--you must deserve blessing. God protect you!--you must need
protection.--Oh, should things prove different from what you hope, send
for me instantly, and if man can aid you, Adam Hartley will!"
He placed in her hand a card containing his address. He then rushed from
the apartment. In the hall he met the lady of the mansion, who made him
a haughty reverence in token of adieu, while a native servant of the
upper class, by whom she was attended, made a low and reverential salam.
Hartley hastened from the Black Town, more satisfied than before that
some deceit was about to be practised towards Menie Gray--more
determined than ever to exert himself for her preservation; yet more
completely perplexed, when he began to consider the doubtful character
of the danger to which she might be exposed, and the scanty means of
protection which she had to oppose to it.
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