"If you have time to examine them here with me," said Colonel Keith,
gently, "I think it might save Alick some pain and vexation."
Rachel was entirely unaware of his meaning, and supposed he only thought
of the mere thrilling of the recent wound; but when he sat down and took
a long account out of a tradesman's envelope, a chill of dismay came
over her, followed by a glow of hope as she recollected a possible
explanation: "Have these wretched tradesmen been sending in bills over
again at such a time as this?" she exclaimed.
"I should be very glad to find their receipts," returned the Colonel.
They opened the most business-like looking bundles, all of them, though
neatly kept, really in hopeless confusion. In vain was the search, and
notes came forth which rendered it but too plain that there had been a
considerable amount of debt even before the marriage, and that she had
made partial payments and promises of clearing all off gradually, but
that her new expenses were still growing upon her, and the few payments
"on account," since she had been Lady Keith, by no means tallied with
the amount of new purchases and orders. No one had suspected her money
matters of being in disorder, and Rachel was very slow to comprehend;
her simple, country life had made her utterly unaware of the
difficulties and ways and means of a young lady of fashion. Even the
direct evidence before her eyes would not at first persuade her that
it was not "all those wicked tradesmen;" she had always heard that
fashionable shops were not to be trusted.
"I am afraid," said Colonel Keith, "that the whole can scarcely be
shifted on the tradesmen. I fear poor Bessie was scarcely free from
blame in this matter."
"Not paying! Going on in debt! Oh she could not have meant it;" said
Rachel, still too much astonished to understand. "Of course one hears of
gay, thoughtless people doing such things, but Bessie--who had so much
thought and sense. It must be a mistake! Can't you go and speak to the
people?"
"It is very sad and painful to make such discoveries," said Colonel
Keith; "but I am afraid such things are not uncommon in the set she was
too much thrown amongst."
"But she knew so well--she was so superior; and with Alick and her uncle
to keep her above them," said Rachel; "I cannot think she could have
done such things."
"I could not think, but I see it was so," said Colonel Keith, gravely.
"As I am obliged to understand these things, she must have greatly
exceeded her means, and have used much cleverness and ingenuity in
keeping the tradesmen quiet, and preventing all from coming to light."
"How miserable! I can't fancy living in such a predicament."