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I cannot recall your name, he said, but I remember to have seen you in your school. My name is Bradley Headstone, sir, he replied, backing into a more retired place. I ought to have remembered it, said Mr. Milvey, giving him his hand. I hope you are well? A little overworked, I am afraid? Yes, I am overworked just at present, sir. Had no play in your last holiday time? No, sir. All work and no play, Mr. Headstone, will not make dulness, in your case, I dare say; but it will make dyspepsia, if you dont take care. I will endeavour to take care, sir. Might I beg leave to speak to you, outside, a moment? By all means. It was evening, and the office was well lighted. The schoolmaster, who had never remitted his watch on Lightwoods door, now moved by another door to a corner without, where there was more shadow than light; and said, plucking at his gloves: One of your ladies, sir, mentioned within my hearing a name that I am acquainted with; I may say, well acquainted with. The name of the sister of an old pupil of mine. He was my pupil for a long time, and has got on and gone upward rapidly. The name of Hexam. The name of Lizzie Hexam. He seemed to be a shy man, struggling against nervousness, and spoke in a very constrained way. The break he set between his last two sentences was quite embarrassing to his hearer. Yes, replied Mr. Milvey. We are going down to see her. I gathered as much, sir. I hope there is nothing amiss with the sister of my old pupil? I hope no bereavement has befallen her. I hope she is in no affliction? Has lost no relation? Mr. Milvey thought this a man with a very odd manner, and a dark downward look; but he answered in his usual open way. I am glad to tell you, Mr. Headstone, that the sister of your old pupil has not sustained any such loss. You thought I might be going down to bury some one? That may have been the connexion of ideas, sir, with your clerical character, but I was not conscious of it. Then you are not, sir? A man with a very odd manner indeed, and with a lurking look that was quite oppressive. No. In fact, said Mr. Milvey, since you are so interested in the sister of your old pupil, I may as well tell you that I am going down to marry her. The schoolmaster started back. Not to marry her, myself, said Mr. Milvey, with a smile, because I have a wife already. To perform the marriage service at her wedding. Bradley Headstone caught hold of a pillar behind him. If Mr. Milvey knew an ashy face when he saw it, he saw it then. |
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