he office came in and told me, as he handed me a
card, that a gentleman was without and wished to speak to me.
As I glanced at the name on the card, a disagreeable sort of
feeling came over me; and as I desired the porter to show the
gentleman into my father's private room, and followed him
there, I mentally resolved to pick a quarrel with this
individual, and to give him an opportunity of blowing my
brains out--about the best thing that could happen to me, as I
thought, at that moment.

"Mr. Escourt, the person in question, had been one of my
intimates on my first arrival in London, and more than any one
else had encouraged me in every species of extravagance, and
especially in my passion for gambling. Often, when I was on
the point of checking myself in the insane course I was
pursuing, he had urged me on by a few dexterous words, and
laughed at those fears which the desperate condition of my
affairs suggested. Latterly he had won from me large sums of
money; and I now owed him between three and four thousand
pounds. He had always kept on good terms with me; but I had
reason to know that he was one of those who had been most
active in circulating reports against my character; and that
he had secretly, and in the unfairest manner, used his
influence with my other creditors to deter them from granting
me any further indulgence. Possessed with this idea, I walked
into the room where he was waiting. I cannot exactly describe
to you what passed between us; that it drove me mad for the
time is all I can say. He did not utter one word for which I
could personally call him to account; he even maintained the
character of my friend throughout; but he contrived at the
same time to wound, insult, and exasperate me into a state
bordering on frenzy. He informed me that, in spite of his
efforts to prevent it, my creditors had come to the resolution
of taking no more excuses; and if their claims were not
satisfied on that very day, to make my conduct known to the
world, and to take such measures as should lead to my
expulsion from the clubs of which I was a member. He ended by
expressing his pity for me, and his willingness, as far as his
own case went, to forego all claim for what I owed him. How
can I describe to you the insulting sneer that pierced through
the hypocritical sympathy of his countenance? How shall I tell
you--how will you understand--what passed through me in that
moment? I drew up haughtily; I desired him to sp