'Of course Aunt 'Lizbeth has employed Mr Rice Rice and a counsel for
that scoundrel, to do what they can when the case is tried. You know
they have indicted him, and, present or absent, it is to come on at the
next assizes. Then, if they prove him guilty, or make out a case against
him, or whatever they call it, he will be brought to trial as soon as
they can catch him.'
'Sir Samuel Spendall and Sir Horatio Simpson are furious against him, I
hear,' said Rowland.
'No wonder; I foresaw something bad when I was at Abertewey. But what of
that rascal, Deep?'
'They can make nothing of him; he is already released, and if he knows
anything of Howel he has not let it out.'
'I can't help liking poor Aunt 'Lizbeth; she says she will spend every
farthing she has for Howel, and when I tell her to remember her old age
and keep her money, all I get is, "What will I do if my Howel is ruined?
What will I care for money if he is gone?" It is pretty well known that
he has forged her name for thousands of pounds, but she won't own it,
and swears to all his signatures as her own, I verily believe, with her
eyes shut.'
'Does father hear all these things?'
'Nobody dares to speak to him. He opens out to me with a vengeance, and
wants a little of your preaching to refine his language.
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