Herbert received me with open arms, and I had never felt before so

blessedly what it is to have a friend. When he had spoken some sound

words of sympathy and encouragement, we sat down to consider the

question, What was to be done?

The chair that Provis had occupied still remaining where it had

Stood,--for he had a barrack way with him of hanging about one spot, in

one unsettled manner, and going through one round of observances with

his pipe and his negro-head and his jackknife and his pack of cards,

and what not, as if it were all put down for him on a slate,--I say his

chair remaining where it had stood, Herbert unconsciously took it, but

next moment started out of it, pushed it away, and took another. He had

no occasion to say after that that he had conceived an aversion for my

patron, neither had I occasion to confess my own. We interchanged that

confidence without shaping a syllable.

"What," said I to Herbert, when he was safe in another chair,--"what is

to be done?"

"My poor dear Handel," he replied, holding his head, "I am too stunned

to think."

"So was I, Herbert, when the blow first fell. Still, something must be

done. He is intent upon various new expenses,--horses, and carriages,

and lavish appearances of all kinds. He must be stopped somehow."

"You mean that you can't accept--"

"How can I?" I interposed, as Herbert paused. "Think of him! Look at

him!"

An involuntary shudder passed over both of us.

"Yet I am afraid the dreadful truth is, Herbert, that he is attached to

me, strongly attached to me. Was there ever such a fate!"

"My poor dear Handel," Herbert repeated.

"Then," said I, "after all, stopping short here, never taking another

penny from him, think what I owe him already! Then again: I am heavily

in debt,--very heavily for me, who have now no expectations,--and I have

been bred to no calling, and I am fit for nothing."

"Well, well, well!" Herbert remonstrated. "Don't say fit for nothing."

"What am I fit for? I know only one thing that I am fit for, and that

is, to go for a soldier. And I might have gone, my dear Herbert, but for

the prospect of taking counsel with your friendship and affection."

Of course I broke down there: and of course Herbert, beyond seizing a

warm grip of my hand, pretended not to know it.




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024