arts, standing up and glaring angrily at the member of Parliament.

"I fear that they will," said Sowerby. "I think it is best to tell
you the worst, in order that we may see what can be done."

"I can do nothing, and will do nothing," said Robarts. "They may do
what they choose--what the law allows them." And then he thought of
Fanny and his nursery, and Lucy refusing in her pride Lord Lufton's
offer, and he turned away his face that the hard man of the world
before him might not see the tear gathering in his eye.

"But, Mark, my dear fellow--" said Sowerby, trying to have recourse
to the power of his cajoling voice. Robarts, however, would not
listen.

"Mr. Sowerby," said he, with an attempt at calmness which betrayed
itself at every syllable, "it seems to me that you have robbed
me. That I have been a fool, and worse than a fool, I know well;
but--but--but I thought that your position in the world would
guarantee me from such treatment as this." Mr. Sowerby was by no
means without feeling, and the words which he now heard cut him very
deeply--the more so because it was impossible that he should answer
them with an attempt at indignation. He had robbed his friend, and,
with all his wit, knew no words at the present moment sufficiently
witty to make it seem that he had not done so. "Robarts," said he,
"you may say what you like to me now; I shall not resent it."

"Who would care for your resentment?" said the clergyman, turning on
him with ferocity. "The resentment of a gentleman is terrible to a
gentleman; and the resentment of one just man is terrible to another.
Your resentment!"--and then he walked twice the length of the room,
leaving Sowerby dumb in his seat. "I wonder whether you ever thought
of my wife and children when you were plotting this ruin for me!" And
then again he walked the room.

"I suppose you will be calm enough presently to speak of this with
some attempt to make a settlement?"

"No; I will make no such attempt. These friends of yours, you tell
me, have a claim on me for nine hundred pounds, of which they demand
immediate payment. You shall be asked in a court of law how much of
that money I have handled. You know that I have never touched--have
never wanted to touch--one shilling. I will make no attempt at any
settlement. My person is here, and there is my house. Let them do
their worst."

"But, Mark--"

"Call me by my name, sir, and drop that affectation of regard. What
an ass I hav