"
"Not content with this, the young fool is gambling desperately, haunts
all the noted hells--I heard he dropped over a thousand recently in a
few hours; his recklessness is becoming a byword."
"Good heavens, Uncle! Is he mad?"
"That you may ask him personally. I understand he intends honouring
you with a visit this afternoon. He should be here shortly, unless he
happens to be drunk. You are his friend, Peregrine; talk to him as
such, endeavour to stem the tide of his folly, if only for his young
wife's sake. Curb his madness if you can, it should be an occupation
for your leisure not without interest."
Thus we conversed at large and upon many topics but spoke no further
regarding her of whom we both were thinking; and thus, I believe, we
were both of us a little relieved to hear a distant "view hallo."
"There rides your friend Vere-Manville, I think, Peregrine, and
evidently a trifle hilarious!"
A trampling of hoofs in the paved yard below, and glancing from the
window I espied Anthony sure enough, who, leaping from the saddle,
reeled violently and clutched at the stalwart George to save himself.
"Aha!" he exclaimed, "seems something's matter wi' old mother earth,
George--heaving damnably--up and down, George--unless it's my legs.
Where's door, George? Aye, there 'tis. Seems dooced small--unless it's
my eyes, George--ha ha!" So he blundered in and heavily up the stair,
and after knocking thunderously, entered.
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