Hartas Maturin (Volume 1); A Novel (Paperback)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III. USELESS INTERVENTION. It so happened that on the very next day Mr. George Betteridge, solicitor, of Red Lion Court, Holborn, deviated so far from his established business routine as to take a cab at mid-day, after snatching a hasty lunch, and drive off to London Bridge Station to catch the 1.30 train to Reigate. His object was to see his brother, John Betteridge, Esquire, J.P., at Southwold Court, and, knowing the habits of that city and rural magnate, he justly surmised that no time was more favourable for finding him at home than when he was enjoying his afternoon nap. Mr. George Betteridge had no sort of compunction in waking anybody up if business had to be done. He knew that his brother stayed at home on Saturdays. Arrived at Reigate, he strolled leisurely up through the town, and at last came to the lodge gates of his brother's princely domain. The lodgekeeper's wife greeted him volubly, though respectfully; his answer was short, because, to tell the truth, his mind was busy elsewhere, and the nearer he got to the end of his journey the less he seemed to enjoy the errand on which he had set out. " I dare say, after all, I'm an old fool," he thought, " to bother my head about Dr. and Mrs. Maturin. After all, I've nothing so very black against him. John always did think him spotless?the fellow's so deuced fascinating when he likes. Yes, I'm quite prepared," he told the rhododendrons confidentially, " to be called an ass for my pains. Still, I don't like Janet Maturin's position; it troubles me. And I'll do my best to shield her from her husband, if he is as mercenary as I suspect him to be." Uncle George found the family at afternoon tea. His brother had finished his siesta, and was ready enough for a chat. " What a time of day for you to pay us...