“I have not succeeded in discovering him, that is all I can say,” rejoined Sir Bridgnorth. “And I have really taken a great deal of trouble in the business. He has been remarkably successful in hiding himself.”
“Do not keep anything back from me, I pray you, dear Sir Bridgnorth!” said Mildred. “Is he without resources?”
“I cannot imagine so,” he replied. “He must have had some funds to enable him to repay me, unless—” and he paused.
“Unless what?” said Mildred.
“You enjoin me to speak the truth,” replied Sir Bridgnorth; “and I will do so at the hazard of giving you and Miss Barfleur pain. My idea is that he has lost money at play. Mind, I have no proof of what I assert. It is simply conjecture.”
“I fear you are right, Sir Bridgnorth,” said Mildred, heaving a deep sigh.
“In your opinion, Sir Bridgnorth,” said Emmeline, who had listened anxiously to the discourse—“in your opinion, I say, has Chetwynd lost a considerable sum of money at play?”
“I fear so.”
“Has he paid it?”
“I fear not.”