"We've very plain fare for you, however," said he, as Mr. Runnington yielded to his wishes.
Mr. Aubrey perceived, with some uneasiness, that the kind and thoughtful countenance of Mr. Runnington wore rather an anxious expression. And indeed so it was. When he looked at those who sat before him--lovely, elegant, yet with a plainly forced cheerfulness--reflected on the sufferings which they had passed through, and those which were but too evidently in store for them--and for the first bitter instalment of which he had come to prepare Mr. Aubrey--could he but feel very deep sympathy for them? As soon as he had retired with Mr. Aubrey to the study, in a low tone he explained his errand, which was to apprise him that, the evening before, Messrs. Quirk, Gammon, and Snap's BILL had come in.
"Well, show it me, if you please," said Mr. Aubrey, calmly, extending his hand.
"My dear sir, why do you suppose I have it _with me_?" inquired Mr. Runnington, with a concerned air. "You are not accustomed to such matters--God forbid you should be! It is too bulky for me to have brought with me, and lies at our office!"
"What is the _amount_ of it, then?" inquired Mr. Aubrey, dreading to hear the answer; while Mr. Runnington took out of his pocket-book a slip of paper, which he handed to Mr. Aubrey, and on which the latter read--"£3,946, 14s. 6d." He gazed at it for some moments in silence, and became very pale. Mr. Runnington could hardly bear to look at him, and think of the two lovely women in the adjoining room, who were so fearfully interested in the intelligence which had so dismayed Mr. Aubrey.
"This is a very--large--amount," said the latter at length, with suppressed emotion.
"It is a most serious affair," replied Mr. Runnington, shaking his head and sighing.
"Then there is yours--and Mr. Parkinson's."
"Oh, Mr. Aubrey--_sufficient for the day is the evil thereof_."
"Will you oblige me by saying what is the probable amount of _your_ bill?" inquired Mr. Aubrey, with a calmness which seemed lent to him by despair.
"Oh! I assure you we have thought nothing at all about it, nor shall we for some time to come, Mr. Aubrey. We have not the slightest intention of troubling ourselves, or you, with the matter till you may be in a position to attend to it without serious inconvenience."