'I shall probably be asked to marry them,' he reflected, 'and I
would they were married and gone! But this presses first.'
He debated principally whether he should write to young Drood, or
whether he should speak to Jasper. The consciousness of being
popular with the whole Cathedral establishment inclined him to the
latter course, and the well-timed sight of the lighted gatehouse
decided him to take it. 'I will strike while the iron is hot,' he
said, 'and see him now.'
Jasper was lying asleep on a couch before the fire, when, having
ascended the postern-stair, and received no answer to his knock at
the door, Mr. Crisparkle gently turned the handle and looked in.
Long afterwards he had cause to remember how Jasper sprang from the
couch in a delirious state between sleeping and waking, and crying
out: 'What is the matter? Who did it?'
'It is only I, Jasper. I am sorry to have disturbed you.'
The glare of his eyes settled down into a look of recognition, and
he moved a chair or two, to make a way to the fireside.
'I was dreaming at a great rate, and am glad to be disturbed from
an indigestive after-dinner sleep. Not to mention that you are
always welcome.'
'Thank you. I am not confident,' returned Mr. Crisparkle, as he
sat himself down in the easy-chair placed for him, 'that my subject
will at first sight be quite as welcome as myself; but I am a
minister of peace, and I pursue my subject in the interests of
peace.
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