It would make a
man so ridiculous, after going in for these fellows, to back out in
such an incomprehensible way.'
'I am quite sure,' repeated Sissy, 'that it is the only reparation
in your power, sir. I am quite sure, or I would not have come
here.'
He glanced at her face, and walked about again. 'Upon my soul, I
don't know what to say. So immensely absurd!'
It fell to his lot, now, to stipulate for secrecy.
'If I were to do such a very ridiculous thing,' he said, stopping
again presently, and leaning against the chimney-piece, 'it could
only be in the most inviolable confidence.'
'I will trust to you, sir,' returned Sissy, 'and you will trust to
me.'
His leaning against the chimney-piece reminded him of the night
with the whelp. It was the self-same chimney-piece, and somehow he
felt as if he were the whelp to-night. He could make no way at
all.
'I suppose a man never was placed in a more ridiculous position,'
he said, after looking down, and looking up, and laughing, and
frowning, and walking off, and walking back again.
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