But I repented, and when I adopted the sacred calling of a clergyman I parted with the past, name and all.

I was that man's clerk; and so," said he, spitefully, and forgetting his sing-song, "was your son Walter Clifford.

Was that not so, Mr.Bartley ?" "Don't speak to me, sir," said Bartley.

"I shall say nothing to gratify you nor to affront Colonel Clifford." "Speak the truth, sir," said Colonel Clifford; "never mind the consequences." "Well, then," said Bartley, very unwillingly, "they _were_ clerks in my office, and this one robbed me." "One thing at a time," said Monckton.

"Did I rob you of twenty thousand pounds, as you robbed Mr.Walter Clifford ?" His voice became still more incisive, and the curtain of the little room opened a little and two eyes of fire looked in.
"Do you remember one fine day your clerk, Walter Clifford, asking you for leave of absence--to be married ?" Bartley turned his back on him contemptuously.
But Colonel Clifford insisted on his replying.
"Yes, he did," said Bartley, sullenly.
"But," said the Colonel, quietly, "he thought better of it, and so--you married her yourself." This bayonet thrust was so keen and sudden that the villain's self-possession left him for once.