"The deuce it will!" thought Sharpley, who knew that such a course would leave him absolutely helpless and penniless.
He began to see that he had overshot the mark. He would risk the utter failure of all his plans if a separation should take place between them. So, though it went against his grain, he resolved to make up with Frank. Forcing a smile, therefore, he said:
"Are you really anxious to leave me, Frank?"
Our hero was bewildered by the unexpected change of manner.
"I thought you were tired of me, sir," he said. "I am afraid I give you trouble and interfere with your plans."
"Not at all. I am sorry if I have given you such an impression. The fact is, I am vexed and irritated at some news I have heard, and that made me disposed to vent my irritation on you."
"I am sorry, sir, if you have had bad news. Is it anything serious?"
"Not very serious," said Sharpley; "but," he added, with ready invention, "it is vexatious to hear that I have lost a thousand pounds."
"Yes; that is a serious loss," said Frank, with sympathy.