Even had
that not been so, the authority to which the Minor Canon deferred
officially, would have settled the point.
'Mr. Crisparkle,' quoth the Dean, 'human justice may err, but it
must act according to its lights. The days of taking sanctuary are
past. This young man must not take sanctuary with us.'
'You mean that he must leave my house, sir?'
'Mr. Crisparkle,' returned the prudent Dean, 'I claim no authority
in your house. I merely confer with you, on the painful necessity
you find yourself under, of depriving this young man of the great
advantages of your counsel and instruction.'
'It is very lamentable, sir,' Mr. Crisparkle represented.
'Very much so,' the Dean assented.
'And if it be a necessity--' Mr. Crisparkle faltered.
'As you unfortunately find it to be,' returned the Dean.
Mr. Crisparkle bowed submissively: 'It is hard to prejudge his
case, sir, but I am sensible that--'
'Just so. Perfectly. As you say, Mr. Crisparkle,' interposed the
Dean, nodding his head smoothly, 'there is nothing else to be done.
No doubt, no doubt. There is no alternative, as your good sense
has discovered.'
'I am entirely satisfied of his perfect innocence, sir,
nevertheless.'
'We-e-ell!' said the Dean, in a more confidential tone, and
slightly glancing around him, 'I would not say so, generally. Not
generally. Enough of suspicion attaches to him to--no, I think I
would not say so, generally.
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