'
'Oh, Dudley, don't be vexed, dear. I did not mean it. I would not hurt ye
for all the world. Never.'
'Well, never mind. You and yours tricked me finely; and now you've got
me--that's all.'
My uncle laughed a very odd laugh.
'I knew it, of course; and upon my word, madame, you and he make a very
pretty couple,' sneered Uncle Silas.
Dudley made no answer, looking, however, very savage.
And with this poor young wife, so recently wedded, the low villain had
actually solicited me to marry him!
I am quite certain that my uncle was as entirely ignorant as I of Dudley's
connection, and had, therefore, no participation in this appalling
wickedness.
'And I have to congratulate you, my good fellow, on having secured the
affections of a very suitable and vulgar young woman.'
'I baint the first o' the family as a' done the same,' retorted Dudley.
At this taunt the old man's fury for a moment overpowered him. In an
instant he was on his feet, quivering from head to foot. I never saw such
a countenance--like one of those demon-grotesques we see in the Gothic
side-aisles and groinings--a dreadful grimace, monkey-like and insane--and
his thin hand caught up his ebony stick, and shook it paralytically in the
air.
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