On our way home I asked Sydney if Grace had obtained the certificate of the death of her first husband. He replied that she had not. There was no doubt that he was dead, but Circumlocution and Red-tapeism stopped the way.
“We shall get it presently,” he said, “and then our course will be clear.”
He spoke in an anxious tone. I suspected the cause. He was thinking of his losses at the gaming table, which by this time amounted to over ten thousand pounds. Every man among us held his I O U’s.
“Luck must turn, Fred,” he said.
“I hope it will!” I replied, “with all my heart.”
“And if it does not,” he murmured, “I shall have Grace!”
I pitied him, with all my heart; but I dared not undeceive him.
