"Oh," Charliewood answered, "we won't talk about friendship between you and me. I've done what I had to do and there's enough."
Sir William still held him by the shoulder. "You don't really feel that, Charliewood?" he said in a quiet voice, and as he did so the magnetism of his personality began to flow and flood upon the weaker man and influence him to kindliness.
"Well, well," he said, "what is it now? I suppose we've been running round a vicious circle and we've come to the last lap?"
"That's just about it," Sir William answered. "Just let me say that this is the last service I shall ever ask from you. I'll give you back all the I.O.U.'s and things, and I'll give you enough money to put yourself absolutely right with the world, then we'll say good-bye."
Charliewood started. "That's awfully good of you," he said. "I don't think that I want to say good-bye. But still, what is it?"
"Rathbone," Sir William answered, pronouncing the name with marked difficulty.
"It's all over then?" Charliewood answered.
"Yes."
"I thought it would be. I have told you all that has been going on, and I knew it would be."
"She's written to me this morning," Gouldesbrough said. "A kind letter, but a letter finishing it all."