Mr. Furnival when he wrote this note had already been over to Orley Farm, and had seen Lucius Mason. He had been at the farm almost before daylight, and had come away with the assured conviction that the property must be abandoned by his client.
'We need not talk about it, Mr. Furnival,' Lucius had said. 'It must be so.'
'You have discussed the matter with your mother?'
'No discussion is necessary, but she is quite aware of my intention. She is prepared to leave the place—for ever.'
'But the income———'
'Belongs to my brother Joseph. Mr. Furnival, I think you may understand that the matter is one in which it is necessary that I should act, but as to which I trust I may not have to say many words. If you cannot arrange this for me, I must go to Mr. Round.'
Of course Mr. Furnival did understand it all. His client had been acquitted, and he had triumphed; but he had known for many a long day that the estate did belong of right to Mr. Mason of Groby; and though he had not suspected that Lucius would have been so told, he could not be surprised at the result of such telling. It was clear to him that Lady Mason had confessed, and that restitution would therefore be made.
'I will do your bidding,' said he.
'And, Mr. Furnival,—if it be possible, spare my mother.' Then the meeting was over, and Mr. Furnival returning to Hamworth wrote his note to Mr. Joseph Mason.
Mr. Dockwrath had been interrupted by the messenger in the middle of his threat, but he caught the name of Furnival as the note was delivered. Then he watched Mr. Mason as he read it and read it again.
'If you please, sir, I was to wait for an answer,' said the girl.
Mr. Mason did not know what answer it would behove him to give. He felt that he was among Philistines while dealing with all these lawyers, and yet he was at a loss in what way to reply to one without leaning upon another. 'Look at that,' he said, sulkily handing the note to Dockwrath.
'You must see Mr. Furnival, by all means,' said Dockwrath. 'But———'
'But what?'
'In your place I should not see him in the presence of Mr. Round,—unless I was attended by an adviser on whom I could rely.' Mr. Mason, having given a few moments' consideration to the matter, sat himself down and wrote a line to Mr. Furnival, saying that he would be in Bedford Row at the appointed time.
'I think you are quite right,' said Dockwrath.
'But I shall go alone,' said Mr. Mason.
'Oh, very well; you will of course judge for yourself. I cannot
