Sylvia's Lovers - Page 193/290

He knew his services were needed in the shop; business which he had

left at a moment's warning awaited him, unfinished; but at this time

he could not bear the torture of giving explanations, and alleging

reasons to the languid intelligence and slow sympathies of Coulson.

He went to the offices of Mr. Donkin, the oldest established and most

respected attorney in Monkshaven--he who had been employed to draw

up the law papers and deeds of partnership consequent on Hepburn and

Coulson succeeding to the shop of John and Jeremiah Foster,

Brothers.

Mr. Donkin knew Philip from this circumstance. But, indeed, nearly

every one in Monkshaven knew each other; if not enough to speak to,

at least enough to be acquainted with the personal appearance and

reputation of most of those whom they met in the streets. It so

happened that Mr. Donkin had a favourable opinion of Philip; and

perhaps for this reason the latter had a shorter time to wait before

he obtained an interview with the head of the house, than many of

the clients who came for that purpose from town or country for many

miles round.

Philip was ushered in. Mr. Donkin sate with his spectacles pushed up

on his forehead, ready to watch his countenance and listen to his

words.

'Good afternoon, Mr. Hepburn!' 'Good afternoon, sir.' Philip hesitated how to begin. Mr. Donkin

became impatient, and tapped with the fingers of his left hand on

his desk. Philip's sensitive nerves felt and rightly interpreted the

action.

'Please, sir, I'm come to speak to you about Daniel Robson, of

Haytersbank Farm.' 'Daniel Robson?' said Mr. Donkin, after a short pause, to try and

compel Philip into speed in his story.

'Yes, sir. He's been taken up on account of this affair, sir, about

the press-gang on Saturday night.' 'To be sure! I thought I knew the name.' And Mr. Donkin's face became

graver, and the expression more concentrated. Looking up suddenly at

Philip, he said, 'You are aware that I am the clerk to the

magistrates?' 'No, sir,' in a tone that indicated the unexpressed 'What then?' 'Well, but I am. And so of course, if you want my services or advice

in favour of a prisoner whom they have committed, or are going to

commit, you can't have them, that's all.' 'I am very sorry--very!' said Philip; and then he was again silent

for a period; long enough to make the busy attorney impatient.

'Well, Mr. Hepburn, have you anything else to say to me?' 'Yes, sir. I've a deal to ask of you; for you see I don't rightly

understand what to do; and yet I'm all as Daniel's wife and daughter

has to look to; and I've their grief heavy on my heart. You could

not tell me what is to be done with Daniel, could you, sir?' 'He'll be brought up before the magistrates to-morrow morning for

final examination, along with the others, you know, before he's sent

to York Castle to take his trial at the spring assizes.' 'To York Castle, sir?' Mr. Donkin nodded, as if words were too precious to waste.