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Reade, Charles, 1814-1884

"A Terrible Temptation A Story of To-Day"

_ HALIBURTON!
And so the car of justice rolled on till it came to Wheeler v. Bassett.
This case was soon disposed of.
Sir Charles Bassett was dignified and calm in the witness-box, and
treated the whole matter with high-bred nonchalance, as one unworthy of
the attention the Court was good enough to bestow on it. The judge
disapproved the assault, but said the plaintiff had drawn it on himself
by unprofessional conduct, and by threatening a gentleman in his own
house. Verdict for the plaintiff--40s. The judge refused to certify
for costs.
Lady Bassett, her throat parched with excitement, drove home, and
awaited her husband's return with no little anxiety. As soon as she
heard him in his dressing-room she glided in and went down on her knees
to him. "Pray, pray don't scold me; I couldn't bear you to be defeated,
Charles."
Sir Charles raised her, but did not kiss her.
"You think only of me," said he, rather sadly. "It is a sorry victory,
too dearly bought."
Then she began to cry.
Sir Charles begged her not to cry; but still he did not kiss her, nor
conceal his mortification: he hardly spoke to her for several days.
She accepted her disgrace pensively and patiently. She thought it all
over, and felt her husband was right, and loved her like a man.


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