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234 THE ADVENTURES OF PHILIP
white, and trembled so, that her interlocutor stopped, rather alarmed
at the effect of his word—his word !—his syllable of a word.
The old lawyer recovered himself with much grace.
"Pardon me, madam," he said; "I know your wrongs; I
know your most melancholy history ; I know your name, and was
going to use it, but it seemed to renew painful recollections to you,
which I would not needlessly recall."
Captain Gann took out a snuffy pocket-handkerchief, wiped
two red eyes and a shirt-front, and winked at the attorney, and
gasped in a pathetic manner.
" You know my story and name, sir, who are a stranger to me.
Have you told this old gentleman all about me and my affairs,
pa?" asks Caroline, with some asperity. "Have you told him
that my ma never gave me a word of kindness—that I toiled for
you and her like a servant—and when I came back to you, after
being deceived and deserted, that you and ma shut the door in my
face ? You did ! you did ! I forgive you ; but a hundred thousand
billion years can't mend that injury, father, while you broke a
poor child's heart with it that day ! My pa has told you all this,
Mr. What's-your-name ? I'm s'prised he didn't find something
pleasanter to talk about, I'm sure ! "
" My love !" interposed the Captain.
" Pretty love ! to go and tell a stranger in a public-house, and
ever so many there besides, I suppose, your daughter's misfortunes,
pa. Pretty love ! That's what I've had from you !"
"Not a soul, on the honour of a gentleman, except me and
Mr. Walls."
" Then what do you come to talk about me at all for ? and what
scheme on hearth are you driving at ? and what brings this old man
here ?" cries the landlady of Thornhaugh Street, stamping her foot.
" Shall I tell you frankly, my good lady ? I called you Mrs.
Firmin now, because, on my honour and word, I believe such to be
your rightful name—because you are the lawful wife of George
Brand Firmin. If such be your lawful name, others bear it who
have no right to bear it—and inherit property to which they can
lay no just claim. In the year 1827, you, Caroline Gann, a child
of sixteen, were married by a clergyman whom you know, to
George Brand Firmin, calling himself George Brandon. He was
guilty of deceiving you ; but you were guilty of no deceit. He was
a hardened and wily man ; but you were an innocent child out of a
schoolroom. And though he thought the marriage was not binding
upon him, binding it is by Act of Parliament and judges' decision ;
and you are as assuredly George Firmin's wife, madam, as Mrs.
Bond is mine !"