Mary replied that she was acting by the advice of her father's
lawyer, and with the regard she owed her father's memory, in
severing all connection with a man in whom she no longer had
confidence; and insisted that the business must be wound up as
soon as possible.
She instructed Mr. Brett, at the same time, that, if it could be
managed, she would prefer getting the shop, even at considerable
loss, into her own hands, with what stock might be in it, when
she would attempt to conduct the business on principles her
father would have approved, whereby she did not doubt of soon
restoring it to repute. While she had no intention, she said, of
selling so _well_ as Mr. Turnbull would fain have done, she
believed she would soon be able to buy to just as good advantage
as he. It would be necessary, however, to keep her desire a
secret, else Mr. Turnbull would be certain to frustrate it.
Mr. Brett approved of her plan, for he knew she was much
respected, and had many friends. Mr. Turnbull would be glad, he
said, to give up the whole to escape prosecution--that at least
was how Mary interpreted his somewhat technical statement of
affairs between them.
The swindler wrote again, begging for an interview--which she
declined, except in the presence of her lawyer.
She made up her mind that she would not go near Testbridge till
everything was settled, and the keys of the shop in Mr.
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