Page:Paul Clifford Vol 1.djvu/175

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PAUL CLIFFORD.
145

while he quietly seasoned his oysters, had he, with his characteristic acuteness, satisfied his mind, by the conviction that that arrested unfortunate was no other than Paul. Partly therefore as a precaution for his own safety, that he might receive early intelligence, should Paul's defence make a change of residence expedient, and partly (out of the friendliness of fellowship) to back his companion with such aid as the favourable testimony of two well-dressed persons, little known "about town," might confer, he had dispatched those celestial beings, who had appeared under the mortal names of Eustace Fitzherbert, and William Howard Russell, to the imperial court of Justice Burnflat. Having thus accounted for the apparition, (the disapparition requires no commentary)—of Paul's 'friends,' we return to Paul himself.

Despite of the perils with which he was girt, our young hero fought out to the last, but the Justice was not by any means willing to displease Mr. Brandon; and observing that an incredulous and biting sneer remained stationary on that gentleman's lip, during the whole of Paul's defence, he could not but shape his decision accord-