"The business was hardly worth explaining," answered the other moodily.
"A bill that I had forgotten for the time fell due just then, and I
hurried off to set things straight."

"Let me help you somehow or other, Jack."

"No, Gilbert; I will never suffer you to become entangled in the
labyrinth of my affairs. You don't know what a hopeless wilderness you
would enter if you were desperate enough to attempt my rescue. I have
been past redemption for the last ten years, ever since I left Oxford.
Nothing but a rich marriage will ever set me straight; and I sometimes
doubt if that game is worth the candle, and whether it would not be
better to make a clean sweep of my engagements, offer up my name to the
execration of mankind and the fiery indignation of solvent
journalists,--who would find subject for sensation leaders in my
iniquities,--emigrate, and turn bushranger. A wild free life in the
wilderness must be a happy exchange for all the petty worries and
perplexities of this cursed existence."

"And how about Mrs. Branston, John? By the way, I thought that she might
have had something to do with your sudden journey to London."

"No; she had nothing to do with it. I have not seen her since I came back
from Lidford."

"Indeed!"

"No. Your lecture had a potent effect, you see," said Mr. Saltram, with
something of a sneer. "You have almost cured me of that passion."