 relation, and can't detach myself from that -«
    »Say disgrace, James,« interposed the other in a low voice, finding that he
stammered for a word. »You mean it, and have reason, say disgrace.«
    »From that disgrace,« assented his brother with keen emphasis, »but is the
fact to be blurted out and trumpeted, and proclaimed continually in the presence
of the very House! In moments of confidence too? Do you think your name is
calculated to harmonise in this place with trust and confidence, John Carker?«
    »No,« returned the other. »No, James. God knows I have no such thought.«
    »What is your thought, then?« said his brother, »and why do you thrust
yourself in my way? Haven't you injured me enough already?«
    »I have never injured you, James, wilfully.«
    »You are my brother,« said the Manager. »That's injury enough.«
    »I wish I could undo it, James.«
    »I wish you could and would.«
    During this conversation, Walter had looked from one brother to the other,
with pain and amazement. He who was the Senior in years, and Junior in the
house, stood, with his eyes cast upon the ground, and his head bowed, humbly
listening to the reproaches of the other. Though these were rendered very bitter
by the tone and look with which they were accompanied, and by the presence of
Walter whom they so much surprised and shocked, he entered no other protest
against them than by slightly raising his right hand in a deprecatory manner, as
if he would have said, »Spare me!« So, had they been blows, and he a brave man,
under strong constraint, and weakened by bodily suffering, he might have stood
before the executioner.
    Generous and quick in all his emotions, and regarding himself as the
innocent occasion of these taunts, Walter now struck in, with all the
earnestness he felt.
    »Mr. Carker,« he said, addressing himself to the Manager. »Indeed, indeed,
this is my fault solely. In a kind of heedlessness, for which I cannot blame
myself enough, I have, I have no doubt, mentioned Mr. Carker the Junior much
oftener than was necessary; and have allowed his name sometimes to slip through
my lips, when it was against your express wish. But it has been my own mistake,
Sir. We have never exchanged one word upon the subject - very
