"Most of it. I warned Colonel Carr against his enemy. He laughed, feeling safe in his tower. Then learning that I was fond of cards, Carr made me play with him. It was said that I went to 'The Pines' to convert the man. It was to gamble--so low had I sunk."
Herrick shook his head. But he was so sorry for the man that he could not blame him for his folly. Corn resumed.
"Night after night I gambled there. Also I went to London, and met Don Manuel at the Pimlico club. So, the life went on. And now for the story of that night." Here Corn drew his chair closer to that of his listener, and continued his revelation in a whisper.
"I knew Mrs. Marsh very well and saw much of her," he said, "she was a very violent and terrible woman."
"I know that," said Herrick remembering his own experiences.
"Oftentimes I tried to check her wrath. She would call and see Carr, and they always fought when they met. I think Carr enjoyed tormenting her, for he never forbade her visits. He was a wicked man, Herrick."
"One of the worst, judging from his reputation."
"Yet he had his good points. He helped me with money to pay my gambling debts not twice, but thrice."
"Did he know your story?"
"No, I could not tell it to him, he would only have laughed at my remorse. It would have seemed foolish to him. He thought that I was simply a profligate clergyman, and liked me for that very reason, Oh, I do not defend myself Herrick; I sank low, very low, but my excuse must be the sorrow of my life. It took all the courage and self respect out of me. But after this I shall give up this charge and return to the East-End. There I will work hard and forget my folly, my sorrow. The gambling will lose its hold over me then."