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Conrad, Joseph, 1857-1924

"Chance"

_That_ at least won't lie."
Well I don't know. If it had come to that she would have been most
likely fished out, what with her natural want of luck and the good many
people on the quay and on board. And just where the _Ferndale_ was
moored there hung on a wall (I know the berth) a coil of line, a pole,
and a life-buoy kept there on purpose to save people who tumble into the
dock. It's not so easy to get away from life's betrayals as she thought.
However it did not come to that. He followed her with his quick gliding
walk. Mr. Smith! The liberated convict de Barral passed off the solid
earth for the last time, vanished for ever, and there was Mr. Smith added
to that world of waters which harbours so many queer fishes. An old
gentleman in a silk hat, darting wary glances. He followed, because mere
existence has its claims which are obeyed mechanically. I have no doubt
he presented a respectable figure. Father-in-law. Nothing more
respectable. But he carried in his heart the confused pain of dismay and
affection, of involuntary repulsion and pity. Very much like his
daughter.


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