“All which rambling talk and anecdote,” cried I, interrupting him, “means, if I have any skill in reading Mr. Ferret, that that gentleman, having some ulterior purpose in view, which I cannot for the moment divine, is determined to have this writ, and does not wish to be pestered with any argument on the subject.  Be it so:  it is your affair, not mine.  And now, as it is just upon three o’clock, let me see your affidavit.”

I ran it over.  “Rather loose this, Mr. Ferret, but I suppose it will do.”

“Well, it is rather loose, but I could not with safety sail much closer to the wind.  By the by, I think you had better first apply for a rule to stay proceedings against the bail in that case of Turner; and after that is decided, just ask for this writ, off-hand as it were, and as a matter of course.  His lordship may not then scrutinize the affidavit quite so closely as if he thought counsel had been brought to chambers purposely to apply for it.”

“Cautious, Mr. Ferret!  Well, come along, and I’ll see what I can do.”

The writ was obtained without difficulty; few questions were asked; and at my request the judge made it returnable immediately.  By four o’clock, Mr. Ferret, who could fortunately sleep as well in a postchaise as in a feather-bed, was, as he had promised himself, on his road to Lancashire once more, where he had the pleasure of serving Major Brandon personally; at the same time tendering in due form the one shilling per mile fixed by the statute as preliminary traveling charges.  The vituperative eloquence showered upon Mr. Ferret by the Major’s lady was, I afterwards heard, extremely copious and varied, and was borne by him, as I could easily believe, with the most philosophic composure.

In due time the parties appeared before Mr. Justice Bailey.  Miss Brandon was accompanied by her uncle, his wife, and a solicitor; and spite of everything I could urge, the judge, as I had forseen, refused to interfere in the matter.  The poor girl was dreadfully agitated, but kept, nevertheless, her eyes upon Mr. Ferret, as the source from which, spite of what was passing around her, effectual succor was sure to come.  As for that gentleman himself, he appeared composedly indifferent to the proceedings; and indeed, I thought, seemed rather relieved than otherwise when they terminated.  I could not comprehend him.  Mrs. Brandon, the instant the case was decided, clutched Clara’s arm within hers, and, followed by her husband and the solicitor, sailed out of the apartment with an air of triumphant disdain and pride.  Miss Brandon looked round for Ferret, but not perceiving him—­he had left hastily an instant or two before—­her face became deadly pale, and the most piteous expression of hopeless despair I had ever beheld broke from her troubled but singularly-expressive eyes.  I mechanically followed, with a half-formed purpose of remonstrating with Major Brandon in behalf of the unfortunate girl, and was by that means soon in possession of the key to Mr. Ferret’s apparently inexplicable conduct.