TEMPLE BAR A London Magazine FOR TOWN AND COUNTRY READERS. THE ONE-HUNDRED-AND-FOURTEENTH VOLUME. RICHARD BENTLEY & SON, NEW BURLINGTON STREET. The rights of translation are reserved. TEMPLE BAR. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “BENTLEY'S MISCELLANY.” MAY, 1898. The Widower. BY W. E. NORRIS, AUTHOR OF MDLLE. DE MERSAC,' 'THIRLBY HALL,' F IF CHAPTER XIII. PERILOUS SYMPATHIES. the bold Budgett did not straightway proceed to prove herself as good as her word, she was actuated, it may be assumed, by much the same motives as sometimes deter prudent generals from attacking a quiescent enemy. Since Mr. Pennant was willing to pay up, what use would there be in wasting powder and shot upon him? A day might come, and probably would come, when reserve stores of ammunition would be called for; meanwhile, it seemed best to maintain an attitude of observation and a lofty resolve to "put up with no nonsense.' Moreover, the most intrepid man or woman may well hesitate to set the house on fire. One does not, under such circumstances, know quite for certain what will happen next, and one has a natural regard for the integrity of one's own person. Of course, if Mr. Pennant could be counted upon to behave like a reasonable being if, perceiving that he was at his adversary's mercy, he were at once to say, "My good woman, name your own price "-that would be entirely satisfactory. But he was not at all less likely to respond, with frigid malignity, "Do your worst! You have discovered a secret by means which compel me to discharge you without a character: you will not do yourself much good by divulging it; though you will, no doubt, cause me some pain and annoyance.' These considerations gave Budgett pause; and as it did not occur to James, when he found his keys where he had left them, that anybody could have been investigating his private papers, the VOL. CXIV. B |