Of course there would be great plunder, and where
would the plunder go? Who would get the money which poor
Silverbridge would lose? It was said that one at least of the
large bets made on that Tuesday evening could be traced to the
same Villiers though not actually made by him. More would be
learned when the settling-day should come. But there was quite
enough already to show that there were many men determined to get
to the bottom of it if possible.
There came upon Silverbridge in his trouble a keen sense of his
position and a feeling of the dignity which he ought to support.
He clung during great part of the morning to Mr Lupton. Mr Lupton
was much his senior and they had never been intimate; but now
there was comfort in his society. 'I am afraid you are hit
heavily,' said Mr Lupton.
'Something over seventy thousand pounds.'
'Looking at what will be your property it is of course nothing.
But if--'
'If what?'
'If you go to the Jews for it then it will become a great deal.'
'I shall certainly not do that.'
'Then you may regard it as a trifle,' said Lupton.
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