"
XXIV.
THAT evening James Bellingham came to see Corey after dinner,
and went to find him in his own room.
"I've come at the instance of Colonel Lapham," said the uncle.
"He was at my office to-day, and I had a long talk with him.
Did you know that he was in difficulties?"
"I fancied that he was in some sort of trouble.
And I had the book-keeper's conjectures--he doesn't
really know much about it."
"Well, he thinks it time--on all accounts--that you should
know how he stands, and why he declined that proposition
of yours. I must say he has behaved very well--like
a gentleman."
"I'm not surprised."
"I am. It's hard to behave like a gentleman where your
interest is vitally concerned. And Lapham doesn't strike
me as a man who's in the habit of acting from the best
in him always."
"Do any of us?" asked Corey.
"Not all of us, at any rate," said Bellingham. "It must
have cost him something to say no to you, for he's just
in that state when he believes that this or that chance,
however small, would save him."
Corey was silent. "Is he really in such a bad way?"
"It's hard to tell just where he stands. I suspect
that a hopeful temperament and fondness for round
numbers have always caused him to set his figures beyond
his actual worth. I don't say that he's been dishonest
about it, but he's had a loose way of estimating
his assets; he's reckoned his wealth on the basis
of his capital, and some of his capital is borrowed.
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