Oh, oh! the young one has a touch of pride about him! Gilby whispered, loud enough, however, for Harry to hear him.
Harry drew out his last five guineas. He staked them and lost. Sleech came up to him, and put a roll of gold into his hand.
You can pay me at your convenience. Dont stop now, or it would ruin all.
Harry fully believed that he should recover his loss. One hundred, two hundred pounds soon went. Again Sleech was by his side, and repeated his offer.
Nonsense; I will take no refusal.
Harry took the gold and lost it. He retained his countenance wonderfully. Gilby smiled.
You had better borrow of me, he whispered.
No, thank you; my friend has my purse, answered Harry, with a certain amount of prevarication.
It was getting late. Harry lost still more. Sleech poured out a tumbler of wine, which Harry tossed off. Silas led him away to a desk in a recess.
Here, he said, between friends we do not want acknowledgment, but business is business.
Harry signed the paper put before him.
You need not be afraid of being cross-questioned, Harry, observed Silas, as they walked home. It is a comfort to think that your straight-laced guardian is safe across the seas in old Ireland. I am afraid you would think I was talking blasphemy, if I was to pray that he might never come back again, always provided he has left you his heir, which I have an idea he intends to do. In that case, my boy, we each should benefit. You would get his fortune, and I should step into his shoes.
Dont talk so, Sleech, said Harry. Hes the best friend I ever had, and I dont expect to get another like him; and as to his fortune, I pray that he may live to a green old age, and enjoy it himself. I only hope you were joking. And Harry felt himself getting angry, not the less so that he could not help secretly acknowledging that he had been led by the nose by such an arch-hypocrite as Sleech.
Of course, of course, I was joking, said that individual, in the bland tone he could so well assume. Theres no man I esteem more than our managing clerk, Mr Kyffin, and I admire you for your affection for him, only I dont think he would be quite satisfied if he knew the way you spend your spare hours.
Some important business with regard to a heavy mortgage on an estate had taken Mr Kyffin to Ireland; and from the state of the country and other circumstances it seemed probable that he might be detained there for a considerable time. He little thought how serious an influence his absence would have in the destiny of the youth in whose welfare he was so deeply interested.
Not till the next morning did Harry reflect how completely he had put himself in Mr Sleechs power. He was to dine that day at his uncles. He was far from happy; he felt ill; he looked pale. It was not surprising, for he had had but little sleep. His cousins rallied him.
A London life does not seem to suit you, said Mr Coppinger. You stick closely to business, and I am pleased with your diligence. If you apply to me I will allow you a few days run down to Hampshire.
Harry thanked his uncle. After dinner Mr Gilby left the table before the rest of the gentlemen. Harry followed some little time afterwards. When he got into the drawing-room he found Mr Gilby stationed before the young ladies, talking eagerly. Looking up, they saw him. They were silent. Harry heard his own name mentioned.
I could not help it, exclaimed Gilby, as he approached. I have been telling them what a deep fellow you are, Tryon. Why, theres not a more rollicking blade about
town, I suspect, if we come to follow you into all your haunts. I have met you two or three times when you did not see me. Ah! ah! old boy. Well, dont blush and be ashamed; I dont set up to be straight-laced. I am not a punctual man of business, no prim knight in buckram.
Harry felt very much annoyed, but he restrained his temper.
Mr Gilby is making merry at my expense, he remarked. However, he is welcome to do so. I can only say that I wish I had never been to some of the places he speaks of. Until one has been to a place, one cannot tell that it is objectionable.
Harry was beginning to practise some of the lessons in hypocrisy which he had learned from Silas Sleech. He was very uncomfortable all the rest of the evening. Gilbys mocking eye constantly fell on him, and he fancied that even his cousins regarded him with looks of suspicion. He returned home. Silas Sleech was sitting up for him.
I am glad you have come at last, he said. I have been fearfully troubled by a business of great importance, and I really do not know how to settle it. You can help me. Indeed, I rather think that you are bound to do so. I handed over to you a pretty large sum last night. I little thought that not twenty-four hours would pass before I myself should be in want of it.
Sleech dropped his voice.
Harry, you are a good, honest fellow. I must take you into my confidence. Dont be horrified Im an utterly ruined man.
Im sorry to hear it, said Harry.
Theres little use expressing sorrow unless you are disposed to help me. You can do it if you please, I can assure you. All I want you to do is to put your name to a few bits of paper and ask no questions. I know its like begging you to put unbounded confidence in me. Perhaps you will say I dont deserve it, and yet I wish you knew my heart, Harry, how anxious I am to serve you.