Not that Mr.Coventry had positively asked him to do it; but, his attention being thus unexpectedly called to the subject, he felt desirous to talk to Little on his own account.
Mr.Coventry went straight to "The Cutlers' Arms," but he went slowly.
A powerful contest was now going on within him; jealousy and rage urged him onward, honor and gratitude held him back.

Then came his self-deceiving heart, and suggested that Miss Carden had been the first to break her promise (she had let Jael Dence into Little's secret), and that he himself was being undermined by cunning and deceit: strict notions of honor would be out of place in such a combat.

Lastly, he felt it his DUTY to save Miss Carden from a degrading connection.
All these considerations, taken together, proved too strong for his good faith; and so stifled the voice of conscience, that it could only keep whispering against the deed, but not prevent it.
He went direct to "The Cutlers' Arms." He walked into the parlor and ordered a glass of brandy-and-water, and asked if he could see Mr.
Grotait, privately.

Mr.Grotait came in.
"Sit down, Mr.Grotait.Will you have any thing ?" "A glass of ale, sir, if you please." When this had been brought, and left, and the parties were alone, Coventry asked him whether he could receive a communication under a strict promise of secrecy.
"If it is a trade matter, sir, you can trust me.

A good many have." "Well then, I can tell you something about a workman called Little.