JOSEPH'S COAT. 17 CHAPTER XIV. IF Master George Banks had known everything, he might have held himself from that disgusted cry against the treason of his sweetheart. It was that cry which sealed his mother's lips and kept the simple case of forgery from becoming in its way a cause célèbre. It is somewhat curious to reflect on what would have happened had Dinah declared her secret in open court. For I have not the slightest doubt that if George had heard the story, he would have struck out for this new ark of refuge, and would have sworn through thick and thin that he had been aware of his own identity all along. I was telling George's story over a pipe to a distinguished novelist, a friend of mine, last Saturday at a little convivial gathering, and the distinguished novelist-who is also a barrister-was a little puzzled at first sight to say what might have become of the prisoner had this revelation been made. He seemed firmly of opinion, however, that the onus would have lain upon old George, and that he would have found it very difficult indeed to prove that his grand-nephew had not known the truth. In any case, it would have altered the face of things. If my opinion is of any value on a point which is not altogether technical, I venture to offer it. Young George would still have been committed to take his trial at the assizes. Old George would have been bound over to appear against him. Bail would have been found for the criminal, a compromise about the fortune would have been arrived at, the old man would have forfeited his recognisances, and the younger scoundrel would have been shipped abroad somewhere with at least an ample supply of money in his pouch. |