"Well, Miss Burton," said Stanton, with a slightly embarrassed
laugh, "I admit that I am cornered, so you can make your own terms."
"They shall be grievous, I assure you. Do you see that rueful face
in your carriage yonder?"
"That of my coachman? Bad luck to his ill-omened visage! Yes."
"No need of wishing bad luck to any poor creature--it will come only
too soon without. In view of the indebtedness--which you have so
gracefully acknowledged--to one of that trading and thrifty race
that never loses an opportunity to turn, if not a penny more or
less honest, why, something else, to their advantage, I stipulate
that you give your dependent there another chance. I heard you
dismiss him from your service a short time since, and he evidently
does not wish to go. His disconsolate face troubles me; so please
banish his dismal looks, and he'll be more careful hereafter."
"And have you had time to see and think about him?" said Stanton,
with a little surprise in his tone. "You shall banish his dismal
looks yourself. Barney," he called, "drive close to the piazza
here. This lady has probably saved you from arrest, and she now
intercedes in your behalf.
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