'I suppose somebody wins,--sometimes.'
'They who win are the sharpers. They who lose are the dupes. I would sooner that he were a fool than a knave.'
'O Roger, you are so severe!'
'You say he plays. How would he pay, were he to lose?'
'I know nothing about it. I don't even know that he does play; but I have reason to think that during the last week he has had money at his command. Indeed I have seen it. He comes home at all manner of hours and sleeps late. Yesterday I went into his room about ten and did not wake him. There were notes and gold lying on his table;--ever so much.'
'Why did you not take them?'
'What; rob my own boy?'
'When you tell me that you are absolutely in want of money to pay your own bills, and that he has not hesitated to take yours from you! Why does he not repay you what he has borrowed?'
'Ah, indeed;--why not? He ought to if he has it. And there were papers there;--I.O.U.'s signed by other men.'
'You looked at them.'
'I saw as much as that. It is not that I am curious but one does feel about one's own son. I think he has bought another horse. A groom came here and said something about it to the servants.'
'Oh dear oh dear!'
'If you could only induce him to stop the gambling! Of course it is very bad whether he wins or loses,--though I am sure that Felix would do nothing unfair. Nobody ever said that of him. If he has won money, it would be a great comfort if he would let me have some of it,--for to tell the truth. I hardly know how to turn. I am sure nobody can say that I spend it on myself.'
Then Roger again repeated his advice. There could be no use in attempting to keep up the present kind of life in Welbeck Street. Welbeck Street might be very well without a penniless spendthrift such as Sir Felix but must be ruinous under the present conditions. If Lady Carbury felt, as no doubt she did feel, bound to afford a home to her ruined son in spite of all his wickedness and folly, that home should be found far away from London. If he chose to remain in London, let him do so on his own resources. The young man should make up his mind to do something for himself. A career might possibly be opened for him in India. 'If he be a man he would sooner break stones than live on you.' said Roger. Yes, he would see his cousin to-morrow and speak to him;--that is if he could possibly find him. "Young men who gamble all night, and hunt all day are not easily found." But he would come at twelve as Felix generally breakfasted at that hour. Then he gave an assurance to Lady Carbury which to her was not the least comfortable part of the interview. In the event of her son not giving her the money which she at one once required he, Roger, would lend her a hundred pounds till her half year's income should be due. After that his voice changed altogether, as he asked a question on another subject. 'Can I see Henrietta to-morrow?'