On the other hand, he thought with very genuine sympathy and affection of Brian, the boy who seemed destined to make so much more of life than Comethup could hope to do; who was in every sense, he thought, made of better and finer stuff. He remembered how he had said that fifty pounds would keep him beyond the reach of want for a year in London, and trembled a little to think how small a sum fifty pounds really meant; he found himself doing disturbing sums in division in his head, and figuring out how much lay between Brian and starvation every week.
In an interval between the acts, when the lights were turned fully on in the theatre, he leaned out over the edge of the box and carelessly looked at the people below. Not a few glasses were levelled at him, and not a few whispers went round concerning the identity of the handsome boy who sat in the big box with the old woman with the closed eyes. Gazing beneath him at the rows of stalls, he suddenly caught his breath and drew back; then leaned over again in some amazement. Beneath him, seated beside a lady in evening dress, was Brian Carlaw.
Comethup's exclamation had not been unnoticed by his aunt. "Some one you know?" she inquired.
"I--I'm not quite sure," said Comethup. "I think I'll go round and see, if you don't mind."
"By all means," said Miss Carlaw. "If it's anybody nice, bring 'em here; if you think they'll bore me, don't."
Comethup made his way down to the stalls, and came face to face with Brian, who was coming out. Brian looked confused for a moment, and then extended his hand. "My dear old boy, this is delightful. Twice in one day; there's a fate in it. I dare say you're surprised to see me here; but, as a matter of fact, it's a piece of speculation. There's a woman"--he jerked his head to indicate the lady whose side he had quitted--"who's very good fun, and very useful. She's taken rather a fancy to this budding versifier, and I think it's probable that she may be able to do something for me. At all events, she's a useful person to know. So you see, as it's no use hoping to do anything in this world without taking risks, your money enabled me to secure a couple of stalls to-night; to bring her down here in style--in a word, to make a good impression. My dear boy, it'll pay; depend upon it, it'll pay well. I told you this morning that I was learning the trick of the whole business; it's as easy as winking when you know it, and I think it'll carry me through anything. You may sit and write and starve in your garret forever, and do not a ha'porth of good; you've got to come out of your garret and cut a good figure if people are to believe you. I'm beginning to like the game; I am, indeed. Come and have a cigarette."