After dinner, he gave Raven his watch to set by
the abbey clock. Raven brought it, Scythrop placed it on the table,
and Raven departed. Scythrop called again to Crow; and Crow, who had
fallen asleep, answered mechanically, 'I see nothing coming.' Scythrop
laid his pistol between his watch and his bottle. The hour-hand passed
the VII.--the minute-hand moved on;--it was within three minutes of
the appointed time. Scythrop called again to Crow: Crow answered as
before. Scythrop rang the bell: Raven appeared.
'Raven,' said Scythrop, 'the clock is too fast.'
'No, indeed,' said Raven, who knew nothing of Scythrop's intentions;
'if any thing, it is too slow.'
'Villain!' said Scythrop, pointing the pistol at him; 'it is too
fast.'
'Yes--yes--too fast, I meant,' said Raven, in manifest fear.
'How much too fast?' said Scythrop.
'As much as you please,' said Raven.
'How much, I say?' said Scythrop, pointing the pistol again.
'An hour, a full hour, sir,' said the terrified butler.
'Put back my watch,' said Scythrop.
Raven, with trembling hand, was putting back the watch, when the
rattle of wheels was heard in the court; and Scythrop, springing down
the stairs by three steps together, was at the door in sufficient time
to have handed either of the young ladies from the carriage, if she
had happened to be in it; but Mr Glowry was alone.
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