Hittaway, waiting for him. It is almost necessary that a man should have
some friend whom he can trust in delicate affairs, and Mr. Hittaway was
selected as Lord Fawn's friend. He was not at all points the man whom Lord
Fawn would have chosen, but for their close connection. Mr. Hittaway was
talkative, perhaps a little loud, and too apt to make capital out of every
incident of his life. But confidential friends are not easily found, and
one does not wish to increase the circle to whom one's family secrets must
become known. Mr. Hittaway was at any rate zealous for the Fawn family,
and then his character as an official man stood high. He had been asked on
the previous evening to step across from the Civil Appeal Office to give
his opinion respecting that letter from Frank Greystock demanding a
written explanation. The letter had been sent to him; and Mr. Hittaway had
carried it home and shown it to his wife. "He's a cantankerous Tory, and
determined to make himself disagreeable," said Mr. Hittaway, taking the
letter from his pocket and beginning the conversation. Lord Fawn seated
himself in his great armchair, and buried his face in his hands.
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