Vandeleur bowed most deferentially, as much as to say, “In both those matters you are the highest authority earth contains.”
“So come,” said she, “here is plenty of writing-paper. Now tell me all your debts, and I will put them down.”
“What is the use? At a shilling in the pound, six hundred will pay them all.”
“As sure as that I am not going to rob you of the money.”
“Prodigiously.” And she smiled satirically. “Now your friend's address, that is treating with your creditors.”
“Unless you want to put me in a great passion.”
“Anything sooner than that.” Then he wrote it for her.
“And now,” said she, “grant me a little favor for old acquaintance. Just kneel you down there, and let me wrestle with Heaven for you, that you may be a brand plucked from the fire, even as I am.”
The Pink of Politeness submitted, with a sigh of resignation.
Then she prayed for him so hard, so beseechingly, so eloquently, he was amazed and touched.
She rose from her knees, and laid her head on her hand, exhausted a little by her own earnestness.
“You are very good,” he said. “It is a shame to let you waste it on me. Look here--I want to do a little bit of good to another man, after you praying so beautifully.”
“Well, then, you mustn't waste a thought on me, Rhoda. I'm a gambler and a fool: let me go to the dogs at once; it is only a question of time: but there's a fellow here that is in trouble, and doesn't deserve it, and he was a faithful friend to you, I believe. I never was. And he has got a wife: and by what I hear, you could get him out, I think, and I am sure you would be angry with me afterward if I didn't tell you; you have such a good heart. It is Sir Charles Bassett.”
“Sir Charles Bassett here! Oh, his poor wife! What drove him mad? Poor, poor Sir Charles!”
“Oh, he is all right. They have cured him entirely; but there is no getting him out, and he is beginning to lose heart, they say. There's a literary swell here can tell you all about it; he has come down expressly: but they are in a fix, and I think you could help them out. I wish you would let me introduce you to him.”
“To Mr. Rolfe. You used to read his novels.”
“I adore him. Introduce me at once. But Sir Charles must not see me, nor know I am here. Say Mrs. Marsh, a friend of Lady Bassett's, begs to be introduced.”