human
Your mother tells me, said Roger,
gpt
I don't know what she calls hunters. I have one that I didn't part with when the others went.
human
You have only one horse?
gpt
Well;--if you want to be exact, I have a hack as well as the horse I ride.
human
And another up here in town?
gpt
Who told you that? No; I haven't. At least there is one staying at some stables which has been sent for me to look at.
human
Who pays for all these horses?
gpt
At any rate I shall not ask you to pay for them.
human
No;--you would be afraid to do that. But you have no scruple in asking your mother, though you should force her to come to me or to other friends for assistance. You have squandered every shilling of your own, and now you are ruining her.
gpt
That isn't true. I have money of my own.
human
Where did you get it?
gpt
This is all very well, Roger; but I don't know that you have any right to ask me these questions. I have money. If I buy a horse I can pay for it. If I keep one or two I can pay for them. Of course I owe a lot of money, but other people owe me money too. I'm all right, and you needn't frighten yourself.
human
Then why do you beg her last shilling from your mother, and when you have money not pay it back to her?
gpt
She can have the twenty pounds, if you mean that.
human
I mean that, and a good deal more than that. I suppose you have been gambling.
gpt
I don't know that I am bound to answer your questions, and I won't do it. If you have nothing else to say, I'll go about my own business.
human
I have something else to say, and I mean to say it.
gpt
I am not going to be kept here against my will,
human
You have to listen to me, so you may as well sit still. Do you wish to be looked upon as a blackguard by all the world?
gpt
Oh,--go on.
human
That is what it will be. You have spent every shilling of your own,--and because your mother is affectionate and weak, you are now spending all that she has, and are bringing her and your sister to beggary.
gpt
I don't ask them to pay anything for me.
human
Not when you borrow her money?
gpt
There is the ú20. Take it and give it her, said Felix, counting the notes out of the pocket-book.
human
When I asked her for it, I did not think she would make such a row about such a trifle. Roger took up the notes and thrust them into his pocket.
gpt
Now, have you done?
human
There's the ú20.
gpt
Not quite. Do you purpose that your mother should keep you and clothe you for the rest of your life?
human
I hope to be able to keep her before long, and to do it much better than it has ever been done before. The truth is, Roger, you know nothing about it. If you'll leave me to myself, you'll find that I shall do very well.
gpt
I don't know any young man who ever did worse, or one who had less moral conception of what is right and wrong.
human
Very well. That's your idea. I differ from you. People can't all think alike, you know. Now, if you please, I'll go.
gpt
You will ruin your sister, and break your mother's heart,
human
I knew he would give it me back, if he had it,
gpt
Why did he not bring it to you of his own accord?
human
I suppose he did not like to talk about it. Has he said that he got it by--playing?
gpt
No,--he did not speak a word of truth while he was here. You may take it for granted that he did get it by gambling. How else should he have it? And you may take it for granted also that he will lose all that he has got. He talked in the wildest way,--saying that he would soon have a home for you and Hetta.
human
Did he;--dear boy!
gpt
Had he any meaning?
human
Oh; yes. And it is quite on the cards that it should be so. You have heard of Miss Melmotte.
gpt
I have heard of the great French swindler who has come over here, and who is buying his way into society.
human
Everybody visits them now, Roger.
gpt
More shame for everybody. Who knows anything about him,--except that he left Paris with the reputation of a specially prosperous rogue? But what of him?
human
Some people think that Felix will marry his only child. Felix is handsome; isn't he? What young man is there nearly so handsome? They say she'll have half a million of money.
gpt
That's his game;--is it?
human
Don't you think he is right?
gpt
No; I think he's wrong. But we shall hardly agree with each other about that. Can I see Henrietta for a few minutes?