They went home to Stafford's room. Howard was hot with the enthusiasm

of admiration, and with the effort to suppress it; for nowadays men do

not tolerate praise even from their dearest friend. It seemed to Howard

as if Stafford's act of renunciation had brought him a certain sense of

relief, as if some portion of the heavy weight had been lifted from his

heart.

"Of course now we have to go into a committee of ways and means, my

dear Staff; you won't mind my asking you what you're going to do? I

need not say that there is no need for any precipitate action.

I--er--the fact is, Staff, I have a sum of money lying at the bank

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which absolutely annoys me by its uselessness. The bank manager has

been bothering me about it for some time past, and it was such a

nuisance that I thought of tossing him whether he should take or I. It

isn't much--a man doesn't amass a large fortune by writing leaders for

the newspapers and articles for reviews--but of course you wouldn't be

so mean as to refuse to borrow what there is. I'm very much afraid that

you'll suffer by this absurdly quixotic action of yours, which, mind

you! though I admire it, as I admire the siege of Troy, or the battle

of Waterloo, is a piece of darned foolishness. However, let that go!

What do you mean to do?"

"I don't know yet," said Stafford. He didn't thank Howard for the

offer; no thanks were necessary. "The thing is so sudden that I have

not made any plans. I suppose there's something I can do to earn my

living. I've no brains, but I'm pretty strong. I might drive a hansom

cab or an omnibus, better men than I have done worse. Leave me alone,

old man, to have a pipe and think of it." Howard lingered for an hour

or two, for he felt that though Stafford had dismissed him, he had need

of him; and when he had gone Stafford took his hat and went out. He did

not call a hansom, but walked on regardless of his route, and lost in

thought. Something of the weight that had crushed him had been lifted

from his heart: he was penniless, the future stretched darkly before

him with a darkness through which there appeared no road or sign of

light; but he was free. He would not be compelled to go to the altar,

there to perjure himself with an oath to love and cherish one woman

while he loved another. I am afraid he did not feel much pity for

Maude, simply because he did not realise how much she cared for him.




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