Pushingopenthedoor，Northmouradmittedmebeforehimintotheapartment。AsIcameinIcouldseethedaughterslippingoutbythesidedoorintothestudy，whichhadbeenpreparedasherbedroom。Inthebed，whichwasdrawnbackagainstthewall，insteadofstanding，asIhadlastseenit，boldlyacrossthewindow，satBernardHuddlestone，thedefaultingbanker。LittleasIhadseenofhimbytheshiftinglightofthelanternonthelinks，Ihadnodifficultyinrecognizinghimforthesame。Hehadalongandsallowcountenance，surroundedbyalongredbeardandside-whiskers。Hisbrokennoseandhighcheek-honesgavehimsomewhattheairofaKalmuck，andhislighteyesshonewiththeexcitementofahighfever。Heworeaskull-capofblacksilk；ahugeBiblelayopenbeforehimonthebed，withapairofgoldspectaclesintheplace，andapileofotherbookslayonthestandbyhisside。Thegreencurtainslentacadaverousshadetohischeek；and，ashesatproppedonpillows，hisgreatstaturewaspainfullyhunched，andhisheadprotrudedtillitoverhunghisknees。Ibelieveifhehadnotdiedotherwise，hemusthavefallenavictimtoconsumptioninthecourseofbutaveryfewweeks。
Heheldouttomeahand，long，thin，anddisagreeablyhairy。
“Comein，comein，Mr。Cassilis，“saidhe。“Anotherprotector——
ahem！——anotherprotector。Alwayswelcomeasafriendofmydaughter”s，Mr。Cassilis。Howtheyhaveralliedaboutme，mydaughter”sfriends！MayGodinheavenblessandrewardthemforit！“
Igavehimmyhand，ofcourse，becauseIcouldnothelpit；butthesympathyIhadbeenpreparedtofeelforClara”sfatherwasimmediatelysouredbyhisappearance，andthewheedling，unrealtonesinwhichhespoke。