[Lorna Doone by R. D. Blackmore]@TWC D-Link book
Lorna Doone

CHAPTER XXV
3/16

But I fear that, in this town of London, thou art apt to be taken in by people of no principle.

Ah me! Ah me! The world is bad, and I am too old to improve it." Then finding him so good and kind, and anxious to improve the age, I told him almost everything; how much I paid the fellmonger, and all the things I had been to see; and how I longed to get away, before the corn was ripening; yet how (despite of these desires) I felt myself bound to walk up and down, being under a thing called "recognisance." In short, I told him everything; except the nature of my summons (which I had no right to tell), and that I was out of money.
My tale was told in a little archway, apart from other lawyers; and the other lawyers seemed to me to shift themselves, and to look askew, like sheep through a hurdle, when the rest are feeding.
"What! Good God!" my lawyer cried, smiting his breast indignantly with a roll of something learned; "in what country do we live?
Under what laws are we governed?
No case before the court whatever; no primary deposition, so far as we are furnished; not even a King's writ issued--and here we have a fine young man dragged from his home and adoring mother, during the height of agriculture, at his own cost and charges! I have heard of many grievances; but this the very worst of all.

Nothing short of a Royal Commission could be warranty for it.

This is not only illegal, sir, but most gravely unconstitutional." "I had not told you, worthy sir," I answered him, in a lower tone, "if I could have thought that your sense of right would be moved so painfully.
But now I must beg to leave you, sir--for I see that the door again is open.

I beg you, worshipful sir, to accept--" Upon this he put forth his hand and said, "Nay, nay, my son, not two, not two:" yet looking away, that he might not scare me.
"To accept, kind sir, my very best thanks, and most respectful remembrances." And with that, I laid my hand in his.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books