"At first, I am told, that Chandos indignantly refused, but every day pressure became heavier and heavier—Rosa was so seductive and so devoted. Chandos had taken no one into his confidence, his debts and disgrace were not his—but another's. Vainly his brother officers endeavoured to help him, but Chandos, the cheery and genial, had become glum, secluded, and mute; and once or twice his friends had been puzzled at seeing him driving in a brougham with a dark, foreign-looking man; then, all at once the secret was out. He had married the daughter of Lopez, the notorious money-lender—and Lopez had cancelled his debts!"
"Poor devil," muttered Salwey.
"The regiment was furious, but this did not affect the happy pair, who were spending the honeymoon in Cashmere. Of course, Chandos was compelled to send in his papers, and within about twelve months the police discovered a series of financial frauds, and Juan Lopez was obliged to leave the country—that is to say, to fly to Pondicherry—where he died.
"'Chotah' Chandos was now minus a profession, and plus not only a wife, but a mother-in-law. Another man would have bolted, and fled to Australia; but he stood fast, and, for a time, lived in the hills, on the sale of his commission; then, as his nursery increased, he was forced to rouse from his apathy and look round for employment. After being for some time on a Government stud farm, he eventually drifted here; in fact, I heard of his plight and offered him the billet."
"And what about his people at home?" inquired Mrs. Lepell.
"His uncle and aunt were dead, and his other relations with one accord washed their hands of him. When he married Rosa Lopez and left the Service, he had figuratively cut his throat."
"How does he put in his time?" inquired Salwey. "He has no associates, for he never mixes with his equals, and shuns all soldier men like the plague."
"I think he reads a good deal, and he gardens a little, but I fancy that his life is one long purgatory; he has nothing in common with his household."
"What an existence!" ejaculated the police officer; "perhaps the new member will be a comfort to him?"
"Cold comfort, I should say; but he may live on hope, for he is a Chandos of Charne, and may possibly be a rich man some day. His cousin is childless."