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Reade, Charles, 1814-1884

"A Terrible Temptation A Story of To-Day"

Besides, it gives me fresh vigor to replunge into Mendacity;
and that's the thing that pays."
With this simple and satisfactory explanation he rolled away.
Leaving, for the present, matters not essential to this vein of
incident, I jump to what occurred toward evening.
Just after dinner the servant who waited told Dr. Suaby that a man had
walked all the way from Huntercombe to see Sir Charles Bassett.
"Poor fellow!" said Dr. Suaby; "I should like to see him. Would you
mind receiving him here?"
"Oh, no."
"On second thoughts, James, you had better light a candle in the next
room--in case."
A heavy clatter was heard, and the burly figure of Moses Moss entered
the room. Being bareheaded, he saluted the company by pulling his head,
and it bobbed. He was a little dazzled by the lights at first, but soon
distinguished Sir Charles, and his large countenance beamed with simple
and affectionate satisfaction.
"How d'ye do, Moss?" said Sir Charles.
"Pretty well, thank ye, sir, in my body, but uneasy in my mind. There
be a trifle too many rogues afoot to please me. However, I told my
mistress this morning, says I, 'Before I puts up with this here any
longer, I must go over there and see him; for here's so many lies
a-cutting about,' says I, 'I'm fairly mazed.


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