"They don't act upon my letters," said he; "but it will be
another thing if a beautiful, ardent woman puts it to them in person,
with all that power of face and voice I see in you. You are all fire;
and you can talk Saxon."
"Oh, I'll talk to them," said Mrs. Marsh, "and God will give me words;
He always does when I am on His side. Poor Lady Bassett! my heart
bleeds for her. I will go to London to-morrow; ay, to-night, if you
like. To-night? I'll go this instant!"
"What!" said Rolfe: "is there a lady in the world who will go a journey
without packing seven trunks--and merely to do a good action?"
"You forget. Penitent sinners must make up for lost time."
"At that rate impenitent ones like me had better lose none. So I'll arm
you at once with certain documents, and you must not leave the
commissioners till they promise to send one of their number down
without delay to examine him, and discharge him if he is as we
represent."
Mrs. Marsh consented warmly, and went with Rolfe to Dr. Suaby's study.
They armed her with letters and written facts, and she rode off at a
fiery pace; but not before she and Rolfe had sworn eternal friendship.
The commissioners received Mrs. Marsh coldly. She was chilled, but not
daunted. She produced Suaby's letter and Rolfe's, and when they were
read she played the orator.
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