Four days later, a figure, shrunk, shaky, and looking prematurely old,with the glaze of intoxication scarcely faded from his eye, walkedinto Mr. Borley's office. That respectable gentleman looked and lookedagain.
"Good Heavens," he said at length; "it isn't Arthur Heigham."
"Yes, it is, though," said an unequal voice; "I've come for somemoney. I've got none left and I am going to Madeira to-morrow."
"My dear boy, what has happened to you? You look so very strange. Ihave been expecting to see your marriage in the paper. Why, it's onlya few days ago that you left to be married."
"A few days, a few years, you mean. I've been jilted, that's all,nothing to speak of, you know, but I had rather not talk about it, ifyou don't mind. I'm like a nag with a flayed back, don't like thesight of the saddle at present," and poor Arthur, mentally andphysically exhausted, put his head down on his arm and gulped.
The old lawyer took in the situation at a glance.
"Hard hit," he said to himself; "and gone on to the burst," and thenaloud, "well, well, that has happened to many a man, in fact, youmightn't believe it, but it once happened to me, and I don't look muchthe worse, do I? But we won't talk about it. The less said of a badbusiness the better, that's my maxim. And so you are going abroadagain. Have you got any friends at Madeira?"
Arthur nodded.
"And you want some more money. Let me see, I sent you 200 pounds lastweek."
"That was for my wedding tour. I've spent it now. You can guess how Ihave spent it. Pleasant contrast, isn't it? Gives rise to moralreflections."
"Come, come, Heigham, you must not give way like that. These thingshappen to most men in the course of their lives, and if they are wiseit teaches them that gingerbread isn't all gilt, and to set down womenat their proper value, and appreciate a good one if it pleasesProvidence to give them one in course of time. Don't you go making afool of yourself over this girl's pretty face. Handsome is as handsomedoes. These things are hard to bear, I know, but you don't make themany better by pitching your own reputation after a girl's want ofstability."
"I know that you are quite right, and I am much obliged to you foryour kind advice, but we won't say anything more about it. I supposethat you can let me have some money?"
"Oh yes, if you want it, though I think we shall have to overdraw.What do you want? Two hundred? Here is the cheque."
"I am anxious about that young fellow," said Mr. Borley to himself, inthe pause between Arthur's departure and the entry of the next client."I hope his disappointment won't send him to the dogs. He is not ofthe sort who take it easy, like I did, for instance. Dear me, that isa long while ago now. I wonder what the details of his little affairwere, and who the girl married. Captain Shuffle! yes, show him in."
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