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           Archerunderstoodthatherantheriskofhavinghismandatewithdrawn,andforsomeobscurereasonhedislikedtheprospect.Nowthatthejobhadbeenthrustonhimhedidnotproposetorelinquishit;and,toguardagainstthepossibility,hesawthathemustreassuretheunimaginativeoldmanwhowasthelegalconscienceoftheMingotts."Youmaybesure,sir,thatIshan’tcommitmyselftillI’vereportedtoyou;whatImeantwasthatI’drathernotgiveanopiniontillI’veheardwhatMadameOlenskahastosay."Mr.LetterblairnoddedapprovinglyatanexcessofcautionworthyofthebestNewYorktradition,andtheyoungman,glancingathiswatch,pleadedanengagementandtookleave.