"Mr Bellamy," said Allcraft, pale as death, and much excited; "you must not go until you have satisfied me on a point of life and death to both of us. Your conduct is a mystery. I cannot explain it. I know not what are the motives which actuate you. These are known to yourself. Let them be so. But I have a question to ask, and you must and shall answer it."
"Must and shall, Mr Allcraft! Take care—pray, take care of your expressions. You will commit yourself. When will you cease to be a very young man? I will answer voluntarily any questions put to me by any gentleman. Must and shall never forced a syllable from my lips yet. Now, sir—ask what you please."
"Mr Bellamy," continued Allcraft, "your property is announced for public sale."
"It is," said Bellamy.
"And the announcement has your sanction?"
"It has."
"And with the sum realized by that sale, you propose to"—
Michael stopped, as though he wished his partner to fill up the sentence.
"Go on, sir," said the proprietor.
"With the sum thus realized, I say, you propose to make good the losses which the bank has suffered by your improvidence?"