Chapter 61

           "Inconsistencies,"answeredImlac,"cannotbothberight,butimputedtomantheymaybothbetrue."—Rasselas.

           Thesamenight,whenMr.BulstrodereturnedfromajourneytoBrassingonbusiness,hisgoodwifemethimintheentrance-hallanddrewhimintohisprivatesitting-room.

           "Nicholas,"shesaid,fixingherhonesteyesuponhimanxiously,"therehasbeensuchadisagreeablemanhereaskingforyou—ithasmademequiteuncomfortable."

           "Whatkindofman,mydear,"saidMr.Bulstrode,dreadfullycertainoftheanswer.

           "Ared-facedmanwithlargewhiskers,andmostimpudentinhismanner.Hedeclaredhewasanoldfriendofyours,andsaidyouwouldbesorrynottoseehim.Hewantedtowaitforyouhere,butItoldhimhecouldseeyouattheBankto-morrowmorning.Mostimpudenthewas!—staredatme,andsaidhisfriendNickhadluckinwives.Idon’tbelievehewouldhavegoneaway,ifBlucherhadnothappenedtobreakhischainandcomerunningroundonthegravel—forIwasinthegarden;soIsaid,‘You’dbettergoaway—thedogisveryfierce,andIcan’tholdhim.’Doyoureallyknowanythingofsuchaman?"

           "IbelieveIknowwhoheis,mydear,"saidMr.Bulstrode,inhisusualsubduedvoice,"anunfortunatedissolutewretch,whomIhelpedtoomuchindaysgoneby.However,Ipresumeyouwillnotbetroubledbyhimagain.HewillprobablycometotheBank—tobeg,doubtless.