Heaven knows what would have happened; he
would have thrown away every penny that he possessed.
On the night after he had lost about forty thousand pounds and
whilst the whole hotel was whispering about it, La Dolciquita
walked composedly into his bedroom. He was too drunk to
recognize her, and she sat in his arm-chair, knitting and holding
smelling salts to her nose--for he was pretty far gone with
alcoholic poisoning--and, as soon as he was able to understand
her, she said:
"Look here, mon ami, do not go to the tables again. Take a good
sleep now and come and see me this afternoon."
He slept till the lunch-hour. By that time Leonora had heard the
news. A Mrs Colonel Whelan had told her. Mrs Colonel Whelan
seems to have been the only sensible person who was ever
connected with the Ashburnhams. She had argued it out that there
must be a woman of the harpy variety connected with Edward's
incredible behaviour and mien; and she advised Leonora to go
straight off to Town--which might have the effect of bringing
Edward to his senses--and to consult her solicitor and her spiritual
adviser. She had better go that very morning; it was no good
arguing with a man in Edward's condition.
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