Lisle looked embarrassed, but merely bent his head.
“It’s that silly brother of mine again,” she went on.
“What has he been doing now?”
“It’s what he’s thinking of doing that’s the worst. He has been led to believe it’s easy to acquire riches on the stock exchange and that he has the makings of a successful speculator in him. Cards and the turf I’ve had to tolerate—after all, there were ways in which he got some return for what he spent on them—but this last craze may be disastrous.”
“Where did he get the idea that he’s a financial genius? It wouldn’t be from you.”
“No,” she said seriously; “I’m his sister and most unlikely to encourage him in such delusions. I don’t think Batley had much trouble in putting the notion into his mind.” Her expression suddenly changed. “How I hate that man!”
Lisle looked down at her with grave sympathy.
“It’s quite easy to get into difficulties by speculating, unless one has ample means. But I understood—”
Bella checked him with a gesture.
“Jim comes into money—we have a good allowance now—but it will be nearly two years before he gets possession. I want him to start fair when he may, perhaps, have learned a little sense, and not to find himself burdened with debts and associates he can’t get rid of. At present, Batley’s lending him money at exorbitant interest. I’ve pleaded, I’ve stormed and told him plain truths; but it isn’t the least use.”