be needed. Would it not be better to consult Messrs. Slow and Bideawhile?
And then it turned out that Messrs. Slow and Bideawhile had been consulted; and Mr. Furnival, not altogether successfully, endeavoured to throw dust into the baronet's eyes, declaring that in a combat with the devil one must use the devil's weapons. He assured Sir Peregrine that he had given the matter his most matured and indeed most painful professional consideration; there were unfortunate circumstances which required peculiar care; it was a matter which would depend entirely on the evidence of one or two persons who might be suborned; and in such a case it would be well to trust to those who knew how to break down and crush a lying witness. In such work as that Slow and Bideawhile would be innocent and ignorant as babes. As to breaking down and crushing a witness anxious to speak the truth, Mr. Furnival at that time said nothing.
'I will not think that falsehood and fraud can prevail,' said Sir Peregrine proudly.
'But they do prevail sometimes,' said Mr. Furnival. And then with much outer dignity of demeanour, but with some shame-faced tremblings of the inner man hidden under the guise of that outer dignity, Sir Peregrine informed the lawyer of his great purpose.
'Indeed!' said Mr. Furnival, throwing himself back into his chair with a start.
'Yes, Mr. Furnival. I should not have taken the liberty to trouble you with a matter so private in its nature, but for your close professional intimacy and great friendship with Lady Mason.'
'Oh, indeed!' said Mr. Furnival; and the baronet could understand from the lawyer's tone that even he did not approve.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
WHY SHOULD HE GO?
'I am well aware, Mr. Staveley, that you are one of those gentlemen who amuse themselves by frequently saying such things to girls. I had learned your character in that respect before I had been in the house two days.'
'Then, Miss Furnival, you learned what was very false. May I ask who has blackened me in this way in your estimation?' It will be easily seen from this that Mr. Augustus Staveley and Miss Furnival were at the present moment alone together in one of the rooms at Noningsby.
'My informant,' she replied, 'has been no one especial sinner whom you can take by the throat and punish. Indeed, if you
