“Doesn’t like me, you mean,” broke in Brian, with a laugh. “Oh, I know that quite well; and I can assure you I haven’t the least respect for her. What were you going to say?”
“Well, as she doesn’t like you, I couldn’t, of course, tell her exactly where the money had gone, although she wanted to know. I didn’t tell her quite the truth about it, and it made me feel frightfully mean. You know, if the money were my own, you should have as much as you wanted at any time; as it isn’t, it doesn’t seem quite fair to her, does it?”
“Nonsense! I don’t see it in that light at all,” replied Brian. “She’ll give you anything you like to ask, and she’s got plenty, and you have the satisfaction of knowing that you’re helping a poor devil to fame and fortune. My dear boy, it’ll all be paid back some day, every penny of it; there’s not the least doubt about that. I’ve got my chance now, but I shall lose it, as sure as fate, if I can’t get some money. Hang it all, old chap, you wouldn’t leave me stranded in Paris without a penny while you live on the fat of the land and drive about in a carriage? You couldn’t do it, Comethup; you’re not that sort of a fellow.”
“But it isn’t my money,” said Comethup with a groan. “Don’t you understand that? I think she ought to know.”
“Tell her, then,” said Brian, with a short laugh, “and see what’ll happen. You know perfectly well that she’ll refuse to allow you to give me another penny; you admit she doesn’t like me, and she doesn’t care whether I go to the dogs or not. What’s the use of talking such nonsense as that?”
“I suppose you’re right,” said Comethup, “and of course I can’t let you go about without any money, especially in a strange city. But I haven’t very much with me—only about twenty pounds—and I——”
“My dear boy, twenty pounds means more to me than you can understand; it’s a fortune. Twenty pounds will positively save me. You’ve been used to such a lot that it doesn’t seem much to you, but to me—ye gods! twenty pounds banishes dull care and puts me on the high road to fortune. And let me tell you this: I mean to be careful this time; I’m working, as I’ve told you, and, until I see the results of my work, I ask no more assistance from you or any one; to that I pledge my word.”
Comethup handed over the money, and Brian gripped the hand that gave it to him fervently for a moment. “Some day,” he said, in a voice of emotion, “some day you will understand more fully what you have done. I don’t know how to thank you, old chap.”
“Oh, please don’t say anything about that,” replied Comethup hastily. “Are you going back to London?”