CHAPTER XXIX—­EVENTS OF TUESDAY:  THE TOILS CLOSING

This day began with a surprise.  I found a letter on my breakfast-table addressed to Edward Ducie, Esquire; and at first I was startled beyond measure.  ‘Conscience doth make cowards of us all!’ When I had opened it, it proved to be only a note from the lawyer, enclosing a card for the Assembly Ball on Thursday evening.  Shortly after, as I was composing my mind with a segar at one of the windows of the sitting-room, and Rowley, having finished the light share of work that fell to him, sat not far off tootling with great spirit and a marked preference for the upper octave, Ronald was suddenly shown in.  I got him a segar, drew in a chair to the side of the fire, and installed him there—­I was going to say, at his ease, but no expression could be farther from the truth.  He was plainly on pins and needles, did not know whether to take or to refuse the segar, and, after he had taken it, did not know whether to light or to return it.  I saw he had something to say; I did not think it was his own something; and I was ready to offer a large bet it was really something of Major Chevenix’s.

‘Well, and so here you are!’ I observed, with pointless cordiality, for I was bound I should do nothing to help him out.  If he were, indeed, here running errands for my rival, he might have a fair field, but certainly no favour.

‘The fact is,’ he began, ‘I would rather see you alone.’

‘Why, certainly,’ I replied.  ’Rowley, you can step into the bedroom.  My dear fellow,’ I continued, ’this sounds serious.  Nothing wrong, I trust.’

‘Well, I’ll be quite honest,’ said he.  ’I am a good deal bothered.’

‘And I bet I know why!’ I exclaimed.  ’And I bet I can put you to rights, too!’

‘What do you mean!’ he asked.

‘You must be hard up,’ said I, ’and all I can say is, you’ve come to the right place.  If you have the least use for a hundred pounds, or any such trifling sum as that, please mention it.  It’s here, quite at your service.’

‘I am sure it is most kind of you,’ said Ronald, ’and the truth is, though I can’t think how you guessed it, that I really am a little behind board.  But I haven’t come to talk about that.’

‘No, I dare say!’ cried I.  ’Not worth talking about!  But remember, Ronald, you and I are on different sides of the business.  Remember that you did me one of those services that make men friends for ever.  And since I have had the fortune to come into a fair share of money, just oblige me, and consider so much of it as your own.’

‘No,’ he said, ’I couldn’t take it; I couldn’t, really.  Besides, the fact is, I’ve come on a very different matter.  It’s about my sister, St. Ives,’ and he shook his head menacingly at me.

‘You’re quite sure?’ I persisted.  ’It’s here, at your service—­up to five hundred pounds, if you like.  Well, all right; only remember where it is, when you do want it.’