“Can’t help it, dear boy. I must do something to increase my income, and if you will not join in and make a fortune, why I must go and find some one who will.”
“But I dare not, Vic.”
“You gave me your word—the word of a gentleman. I ask you to borrow the money for a week or two, and then we would replace it, and nobody be a bit the wiser, while we shall be on the high-road to fortune and fair France.”
“I tell you I dare not.”
“Then I shall do it myself.”
“No, that you shall not.”
“Then you shall.”
“I daren’t.”
“Bah! what a milksop you are; you have nothing to care for here. Miss Van Heldre has pitched you over because you are now her father’s clerk.”
“Let that be, please.”