“My father will pay it,” said George, dryly, and continued his walk.
“As you have alluded to it, I hope you spoke of it as a loan, anything like a play transaction suggests a mess of scandal and stories.”
“I have called it a debt, and that is quite sufficient.”
“All right whatever you like. And now about this girl. Do you intend to let this mystery continue, or do you think that, under the circumstances, Lady Hester should still retain her as a friend and companion?”
“I know of nothing to her disparagement, nor have I yet met one who does. That there are circumstances which she does not deem fitting to entrust to my keeping is no just cause of allegation against her.”
“You are very honorable to say so, George; but I must confess it is more than she deserves at your hands.”
“How do you mean?”
“That she means to take the Russian, that's all.”
“Well, and why not? Would not such a match be a brilliant one for a girl of much higher rank and pretension?”
“What's the use of all this fencing, man?” said Norwood, half angrily, “I know better how matters stand. Do you remember the night you lost so heavily at Macao? Well, I was lying stretched on the sofa, yonder, by the light of the fire only, when the door opened, and she stepped gently in.”