"It has that aspect; but appearances change."
"What should change them?"
"Time and accident, which change everything."
"Time will bring the York Assizes," said Morley musingly; "and
as for accident I confess the future seems to me dreary. What
can happen for Gerard?"
"He might win his writ of right," said Hatton demurely,
stretching out his legs and leaning back in his chair. "That
also may be tried at the York Assizes"
"His writ of right! I thought that was a feint--a mere affair
of tactics to keep the chance of the field."
"I believe the field may be won," said Hatton very composedly.
"Won!"
"Ay! the castle and manor of Mowbray and half the lordships
round, to say nothing of this good town. The people are
prepared to be his subjects; he must give up equality and be
content with being a popular sovereign."
"You jest my friend."
"Then I speak truth in jest; sometimes, you know, the case."
"What mean you?" said Morley rising and approaching Hatton;
"for though I have often observed you like a biting phrase,
you never speak idly. Tell me what you mean."
"I mean," said Hatton, looking Morley earnestly in the face
and speaking with great gravity, "that the documents are in
existence which prove the title of Walter Gerard to the
proprietorship of this great district; that I know where the
documents are to be found; and that it requires nothing but a
resolution equal to the occasion to secure them.
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