Marius sat down by the desk against the wall.
"Nothing?" he muttered. "Nothing at all?" and his lips trembled.
"When they have sold me up," replied my lord slowly, "here and in London, I do not see that there will be a groat between us."
"I cannot credit it!" muttered Marius.
"Believe me, you may. I have told you the truth in the fewest words."
Marius took his head in his hands, resting his elbows on the desk.
"And I am a pauper!" he said—"a pauper!"
Lord Lyndwood crossed and stood beside him.
"What can I say, Marius? When my lord died he left all in confusion, and in confusion all has remained. While the money sufficed we shared it. I could never have done differently to what I did, not being by nature thrifty."
Marius was silent.