"Why did you not follow him to London?" resumed Mrs. Ryle. "It would have been less than a two hours' journey from Oxford."
George turned his large dark eyes upon her, some surprise in them. "How was I to know where to look for him, if I had gone?"
"Could Mr. Ferrars not give you his address?"
"No. I asked him. Treve had not told him where he should put up. In fact, Ferrars did not think Treve knew himself. Under these circumstances, my going to town would have been only waste of time and money."
"It is of no use your keeping things from me," resumed Mrs. Ryle, after a pause. "Has Treve contracted fresh debts at Oxford?"
"A 'few'--and you 'fancy!' George, tell me the truth. That you know he has, and that they are not a few."
"That he has, I believe to be true: I gathered as much from Ferrars. But I do not think they are serious; I do not indeed."
"Why did you not inquire? I would have gone to every shop in the town, in order to ascertain. If he is contracting more debts, who is to pay them?"
"When shall we be clear of Chattaway?" she abruptly resumed. "When will the last payment be due?"
"In a month or two's time. Principal and interest will all be paid off then."
"It will take all your efforts to make up the sum."
"I don't doubt it. But it will not be ready, George, if a portion is to be taken from it for Treve."
George knit his brow. He was falling into thought.
"I _must_ get rid of Chattaway," she resumed. "He has been weighing us down all these years like an incubus; and now that emancipation has nearly come, were anything to delay it, I should--I think I should go mad."
"I hope and trust nothing will delay it," answered George. "I am more anxious to get rid of Chattaway than, I think, even you can be. As to Treve, his debts must wait."
"But it would be more desirable that he should not contract them."
"Of course. But how are we to prevent his contracting them?"
"He ought to prevent it himself. _You_ did not contract debts."
"I!" he rejoined, in surprise. "I had no opportunity of doing so. Work and responsibility were thrown upon me before I was old enough to think of pleasure: and they kept me steady."
"You were not naturally inclined to spend, George."
"There's no knowing what I might have acquired, had I been sent out into the world, as Treve has," he rejoined.