"Glad to see you always, Mr. Cassilis. You came to speak about some money matters? I have an engagement in five minutes; but we shall have time, I dare say."
"An engagement? Ah! a lady, perhaps." This with a forced laugh, because he was thinking of his wife.
"A lady? Yes—yes, a lady."
"Young men—young men——" said Gabriel Cassilis. "Well, I will not keep you. I came here to speak to you about—about my wife."
"O Lord!" cried Lawrence. "I beg your pardon—about Mrs. Cassilis?"
"Yes; it is a very stupid business. You have known her for a long time."
"I have, Mr. Cassilis; for nearly eight years."
"Ah, old friends; and once, I believe, people thought——"
"Once, Mr. Cassilis, I myself thought—I cannot tell you what I thought Victoria Pengelley might be to me. But that is over long since."
"One for her," thought Lawrence, whose nerves were steady in danger. His two listeners trembled and shook, but from different causes.