on the table.

The testimonial was very briefly and very coldly expressed, but it was
conclusive as far as it went. Sir John considered it only right to say
that he had no complaint to make of any want of capacity or integrity
in his steward. If Mr. Bashwood's domestic position had been compatible
with the continued performance of his duties on the estate, Sir John
would have been glad to keep him. As it was, embarrassments caused by
the state of Mr. Bashwood's personal affairs had rendered it undesirable
that he should continue in Sir John's service; and on that ground, and
that only, his employer and he had parted. Such was Sir John's testimony
to Mr. Bashwood's character. As Midwinter read the last lines, he
thought of another testimonial, still in his own possession--of the
written character which they had given him at the school, when
they turned their sick usher adrift in the world. His superstition
(distrusting all new events and all new faces at Thorpe Ambrose) still
doubted the man before him as obstinately as ever. But when he now tried
to put those doubts into words, his heart upbraided him, and he laid the
letter on the table in silence.

The sudden pause in the conversation appeared to startle Mr. Bashwood.
He comforted himself with another little sip of wine, and, leaving the
letter untouched, burst irrepressibly into words, as if the silence was
quite unendurable to him.

"I am ready to answer any question, sir," he began. "Mr. Pedgift told
me that I must answer questions, because I was applying for a place of
trust. Mr. Pedgift said neither you nor Mr. Armadale was likely to think
the testimonial sufficient of itself. Sir John doesn't say--he might
have put it more kindly, but I don't complain--Sir John doesn't say
what the troubles were that lost me my place. Perhaps you might wish to
know--" He stopped confusedly, looked at the testimonial, and said no
more.

"If no interests but mine were concerned in the matter," rejoined
Midwinter, "the testimonial would, I assure you, be quite enough to
satisfy me. But while I am learning my new duties, the person who
teaches me will be really and truly the steward of my friend's estate. I
am very unwilling to ask you to speak on what may be a painful subject,
and I am sadly inexperienced in putting such questions as I ought
to put; but, perhaps, in Mr. Armadale's interests, I ought to know
something more, either from yourself, or from Mr. Pedgift, if you prefe