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212 THE ADVENTURES OF PHILIP
bow which George Firmin, Esquire, M.D., pulled; but that he
twanged a famous lie out, whenever there was occasion for the
weapon, I assure you is an undoubted fact.) "Yes, Dr. Maxwell
told me our old friend was dead—our old friend? My worst
enemy and yours ! But let that pass. It was he, Caroline, who
led mo into crimes which I have never ceased to deplore."
" Ah, Mr. Firmin," sighs the Little Sister, " since I've known
you, you was big enough to take care of yourself in that way."
"I have not come to excuse myself, Caroline," says the deep
sweet voice. " I have done you enough wrong, and I feel it here—
at this heart. I have not come to speak about myself, but of
some one I love the best of all the world—the only being I do love
—some one you love, you good and generous soul—about Philip."
" What is it about Philip ?" asks Mrs. Brandon very quickly.
" Do you want harm to happen to him ?"
" Oh, my darling boy, no !" cries the Little Sister, clasping her
little hands.
" Would you keep him from harm ?"
" Ah, sir, you know I would. When he had the scarlet fever,
didn't I pour the drink down his poor throat, and nurse him, and
tend him, as if, as if—as a mother would her own child ?"
" You did, you did, you noble, noble woman; and Heaven bless
you for it ! A father does. I am not all heartless, Caroline, as you
deem me, perhaps."
" I don't think it's much merit, your loving him" says Caroline,
resuming her sewing. And, perhaps, she thinks within herself,
" What is he a-coming to ?" You see she was a shrewd little person,
when her passions and partialities did not overcome her reason;
and she had come to the conclusion that this elegant Dr. Firmin,
whom she had admired so once, was a—not altogether veracious
gentleman. In fact, I heard her myself say afterwards, " La! he
used to talk so fine, and slap his hand on his heart, you know ; but
I usedn't to believe him, no more than a man in a play." " It's not
much merit your loving that boy," says Caroline, then. " But what
about him, sir ?"
Then Firmin explained. This man Hunt was capable of any
crime for money or revenge. Seeing Caroline was alive . . .
" I s'pose you told him I was dead too, sir," says she, looking
up from the work.
"Spare me, spare me! Years ago, perhaps, when I had lost
sight of you, I may, perhaps, have thought _______ "
" And it's not to you, George Brandon—it's not to you," cries
Caroline, starting up, and speaking with her sweet innocent ringing
voice ; " it's to kind dear friends,—it's to my good God that I owe