"Impossible: things have gone too far, and the climax has come to-day. My bills will be protested."
"Then you favour me with a visit when your circumstances are desperate beyond relief."
"I have been buoyed up with false hopes, but now I must inevitably sink."
"There is one thing you have done well—you have kept up appearances; nobody suspects anything."
"But at what a cost! For months I have not known what it is to have a good night's rest."
"It is entirely a financial difficulty, of course—much?"
"Yes, and without remedy; the amount is so large. But there is another dilemma."
"And what is that?" I enquired; "the other is bad enough."
"You know I am engaged to Miss Kingston."
"So I understood. She has money; why not frankly explain your position to her father, and, if there is no objection, marry her."