He had allowed himself to think that all his troubles were
now nearly over, but the words and the voice frightened him. He had
told himself that he was not to speak of his love again till the
two months were over, and like an honourable man he was prepared to
wait the full time. He would not now have come to the attorney's
house but that he knew the attorney would wait for him before going
over to the club. He had no right to draw deductions till the time
should be up. But he could not help his own feelings and was aware
that his heart sank within him when he was told that Cheltenham was
a nasty idle place. Abuse of Cheltenham at the present moment was
in fact abuse of Mary;--and the one sin which Mary could commit was
persistence in her rejection of his suit. But he determined to be a
man as he walked across the street with his old friend, and said
not a word about his love. "They tell me that Goarly has taken his
7s. 6d., Mr. Masters."
"Of course he has taken it, Larry. The worse luck for me. If he had
gone on I might have had a bill against his Lordship as long as my
arm. Now it won't be worth looking after."
"I'm sure you're very glad, Mr. Masters."
"Well; yes; I am glad. I do hate to see a fellow like that who
hasn't got a farthing of his own, propped up from behind just to
annoy his betters.
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