"I have read the letter, but I don't know what it means," said Dr.
Sampson. "Can you throw any light upon it?"

"Here is my letter, doctor. You can read it for yourself."

Dr. Sampson's face changed as he read Rodney's letter. It changed and
hardened, and his expression became quite different from that to which
Rodney had been accustomed.

"This is a bad business, Ropes," said the doctor in a hard tone.

He had always said Rodney before.

"Yes, sir."

"That was a handsome fortune which your father left you."

"Yes, sir. I never knew before how much it amounted to."

"You only learn when you have lost it. Mr. Fielding has treated you
shamefully."

"Yes, sir, I suppose he has, but he says he will try to make it up to me
in the future."

"Pish! that is all humbug. Even if he is favored by fortune you will
never get back a cent."

"I think I shall, sir."