A look of apprehension crossed Milbanke's face.
"Oh no, Denis!" he exclaimed quickly. "No. Things can't be as bad as that. Your suffering has told upon your nerves. Things can't be as bad as that."
"They are worse. I tell you these two children will face life without a penny."
"No, no! You exaggerate. Why, even if you were to die they would still have the place. The place must be worth something."
"Ah, if I could only drug my conscience with that thought! But I can't—I can't! Before I'm cold in my grave my creditors will be down on the property like a swarm of rats."
"No, no!"
"Yes! I tell you yes! The children will be homeless as well as penniless."
Milbanke glanced about him in deep perplexity.
"There's your sister-in-law," he hazarded at length.
"Fan?" Asshlin made a contemptuous grimace. "Fan is as poor as a church mouse already. Laurence had nothing to leave her: the Navy beggared him. No, Fan could do nothing for them. And, anyway, she and Clodagh couldn't stand each other for a twelvemonth. You might as well try to blend fire and water. No, there's no way out of it. I'm reaping the whirlwind, James. I'm reaping it with a vengeance."