Part 61 (1/2)

CHAPTER XX.

_In Which Ferdinand Receives More than One Visit, and Finds That Adversity Has Not Quite Deprived Him of His Friends_.

IN THE mean time morning broke upon the unfortunate Ferdinand. He had forgotten his cares in sleep, and, when he woke, it was with some difficulty that he recalled the unlucky incident of yesterday, and could satisfy himself that he was indeed a prisoner. But the bars of his bedroom window left him not very long in pleasing doubt.

His friend, the little waiter, soon made his appearance. 'Slept pretty well, sir? Same breakfast as yesterday, sir? Tongue and ham, sir?

Perhaps you would like a kidney instead of a devil? It will be a change.'

'I have no appet.i.te.'

'It will come, sir. You an't used to it. Nothing else to do here but to eat. Better try the kidney, sir. Is there anything you fancy?'

'I have made up my mind to go to gaol to-day.' 'Lord! sir, don't think of it. Something will turn up, sir, take my word.'

And sooth to say, the experienced waiter was not wrong. For bringing in the breakfast, followed by an underling with a great pomp of plated covers, he informed Ferdinand with a chuckle, that a gentleman was enquiring for him. 'Told you your friends would come, sir.'

The gentleman was introduced, and Ferdinand beheld Mr. Glas...o...b..ry.

'My dear Glas...o...b..ry,' said Ferdinand, scarcely daring to meet his glance, 'this is very kind, and yet I wished to have saved you this.'

'My poor child,' said Glas...o...b..ry.

'Oh! my dear friend, it is all over. This is a more bitter moment for you even than for me, kind friend. This is a terrible termination of all your zeal and labours.'

'Nay!' said Glas...o...b..ry; 'let us not think of anything but the present.

For what are you held in durance?'

'My dear Glas...o...b..ry, if it were only ten pounds, I could not permit you to pay it. So let us not talk of that. This must have happened sooner or later. It has come, and come unexpectedly: but it must be borne, like all other calamities.'

'But you have friends, my Ferdinand.'

'Would that I had not! All that I wish now is that I were alone in the world. If I could hope that my parents would leave me to myself, I should be comparatively easy. But when I think of them, and the injury I must do them, it is h.e.l.l, it is h.e.l.l.'

'I wish you would tell me your exact situation,' said Mr. Glas...o...b..ry.

'Do not let us talk of it; does my father know of this?'

'Not yet.'

''Tis well; he may yet have a happy day. He will sell Armine.'

Glas...o...b..ry shook his head and sighed. 'Is it so bad?' he said.

'My dearest friend, if you will know the worst, take it. I am here for nearly three thousand pounds, and I owe at least ten more.'

'And they will not take bail?'

'Not for this debt; they cannot. It is a judgment debt, the only one.'