AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"I can't tell ye that. 'Twas but by chance I found it out at all. TheBelmanoirs were never moderate in their manner of living."
"Nor were any of us. Don't be so hard on them, Miles!... I knew, ofcourse, that the Belmanoir estate was mortgaged, but I did not guess towhat extent."
"I don't know that either, but Dick's money does not go to pay it off.'Tis all frittered away on gambling and pretty women."
My lord's brow darkened ominously.
"Ye-s. I think I shall have a little score to settle with Tracy on thatsubject--some day."
Miles said nothing.
"But how does Dick manage without touching my money?"
"I do not know." O'Hara's tone implied that he cared less.
"I hope he is not in debt himself," mused Carstares, "'Tis like enoughhe is in some muddle. I wish I might persuade him to accept therevenue." He frowned and drummed his fingers on the table.
O'Hara exploded.
"Sure, 'twould be like you to be doing the same. Let the man alone forthe Lord's sake, and don't be after worrying your head over a miserablespalpeen that did ye more harm than--"
"Miles, I cannot allow you to speak so of Dick! You do not understand."
"I understand well enough. 'Tis too Christian ye are entirely. And letus have an end of this farce of yours! I know that Dick cheated as wellas you do, and I say 'tis unnatural for you to be wanting him to takeyour money after he's done you out of honour and all else!"
Carstares sipped his wine quietly, waiting for Miles' anger toevaporate, as it presently did, leaving him to glower balefully. Then hestarted to laugh.
"Oh, Miles, let me go my own road! I'm a sore trial
to you, I know."Then suddenly sobering: "But I want you not to think so hardly of Dick.You know enough of him to understand a little how it all came about. Youknow how extravagant he was and how often in debt--can you not pardonthe impulse of a mad moment?"
"That I could pardon. What I cannot forgive is his--unutterable meannessin letting you bear the blame."
"O'Hara, he was in love with Lavinia--"
"So were you."
"Not so deeply. With me 'twas a boy's passion, but with him 'twasserious."
O'Hara remained silent, his mouth unusually hard.
"Put yourself in his place," pleaded Jack. "If you--"
"Thank you!" O'Hara laughed unpleasantly. "No, Jack, we shall not agreeon this subject, and we had best leave it alone. I do not think you needworry about him, though. I believe he is not in debt."
"Does he have fair luck with his racing and his--"
O'Hara smiled grimly.
"Dick is a very changed man, John. He does not keep racehorses, neitherdoes he play cards, save for appearance's sake."
"Dick not play! What then does he do?"
"Manages your estates and conducts his wife to routs. When in town,"bitterly, "he inhabits your house."
"Well, there is none else to use it. But I cannot imagine Dick turnedsober!"
"'Tis easy to be righteous after the evil is done, I'm thinking!"
