'Quite so, to a mind like yours,' said Lake, with a faint gleam of his
unpleasant smile thrown upon the floor, 'but other men don't see it; and
I hope, at all events, there's a likelihood that Mark Wylder will soon
return and look after his own business--I'm quite tired of it, and of'
(he was going to say _you_)--'of everything connected with it.'

'This delay is attended with more serious mischief. The vicar, his
brother, had a promise of money from him, and is disappointed--in very
great embarrassments; and, in fact, were it not for some temporary
assistance, which I may mention--although I don't speak of such things--I
afforded him myself, he must have been ruined.'

'It is very sad,' said Lake; 'but he ought not to have married without an
income.'

'Very true, Captain Lake--there's no defending that--it was wrong, but
the retribution is terrible,' and the righteous man shook his tall head.

'Don't you think he might take steps to relieve himself considerably?'

'I don't see it, Captain Lake,' said the attorney, sadly and drily.

'Well, you know best; but are not there resources?'

'I don't see, Captain Lake, what you point at.'

'I'll give him something for his reversion, if he chooses, and make him
comfortable for his life.'