“What difference does it make?” interposed her husband. “Gilbert is not a stranger, to stand on ceremony.”
“So it appears,” returned his wife, in the same unpleasant tone.
“I ought to apologize for calling during your dinner-hour,” said Gilbert, “but I wished particularly to consult you about my affairs.”
Of course this was addressed to Mr. Briggs. Mrs. Briggs was perhaps the last person in the range of his acquaintance whom our hero would have cared to consult.
“Anything new with you?” asked his guardian, in a tone of slight embarrassment.
“Yes,” answered Gilbert, frankly; “I am in trouble.”
Mrs. Briggs glanced meaningly at Randolph, as if to say, “Now it’s coming.”
“You would perhaps wish to speak to me alone,” said Mr. Briggs.
“Oh, if you have any secrets, Randolph and I can withdraw,” said Mrs. Briggs, with unnecessary offence. She would have been deeply disappointed to be excluded from the conference between Gilbert and her husband. Our hero, however, relieved her of her apprehensions.
“Though I am in trouble,” he said, “I have nothing to be ashamed of, and am perfectly willing to speak before all of you.”