I grant you that even as a
rich man he ought to have avoided the desultory ways, which, as you
say, are more likely to have caused his failures than want of native
ability. But I don't like to see you hard upon him. You hardly
realise how cruelly he has been treated in return for a very deep and
generous attachment, or how such a grief must make it more difficult
for him to exert his powers."
"I don't like you to think me hard and unkind," said Babie, sadly.
"Only a little over just," said Fordham. "I am sure you could do a
great deal to help and brighten Allen; and," he added, smiling, "in
the name of spoilt and shiftless heirs, I hope you will try."
"Indeed I will," said Babie earnestly, as the footman at the shop
door signalled to the coachman that his ladies were ready.
She found it the less difficult to remember what he had said, because
Allen himself was much less provoking to her. Something was due to
the influence and example of the strenuous endeavour that Fordham
made to keep up to such duties as he had undertaken, not indeed
onerous in themselves, but a severe labour to a man in his state. It
had been intimated to him also that his saturation with tobacco was
distressing to his friend, and he was fond enough of him to abstain
from his solace, except when walking home at night.
Pages:
790
791
792
793
794
795
796
797
798
799
800
801
802
803
804
805
806
807
808
809
810
811
812
813
814