"Worse—infinitely worse than a card debt. Henry has borrowed an enormous sum of money which it is absolutely impossible for him to repay."
"Borrowed? I had no idea Henry's credit was so good."
Elizabeth Kerhill saw that his mind was only half grasping what she was trying to tell him—that he thought it only another of Henry's peccadilloes. She laid her hand on his shoulder.
"Henry used the Fund to try to cover the loss of his last possession, which he has sunk in a huge speculation."
Jim quickly looked up.
"The Fund—what Fund? Not the—"
"Yes, the Relief Fund."
"Why, that's embezzle—"
But his aunt's feverish hand stopped the word. She clung to Jim as she piteously said, "Henry intended to replace it."
"Poor Diana! poor Diana!" The words slipped from him and then as he looked at the terrible eyes full of this bitter knowledge he quickly threw his arms protectingly about his aunt. "Poor Aunt! poor Aunt!"