Silverbridge felt that he must write to his brother by the first
post. The communication was of a nature that would bear no delay.
If his hands had been free he would himself have gone off to Auld
Reikie. At last he made up his mind. The first letter he wrote was
neither to Nidderdale nor to Gerald, but to Lord Percival himself.
'DEAR PERCIVAL,
'Gerald writes me word that he has lost to you at cards 3,400
pounds, and he wants me to get the money. It is a terrible
nuisance, and he has been an ass. But of course I shall stand to
him for anything he wants. I haven't got 3,400 pounds in my
pocket, and I don't know anyone who has,--that is among our set.
But I send you my I O U for the amount, and will promise to get
you the money in two months. I suppose that will be sufficient and
that you will not bother Gerald any more about it.
'Yours truly,
SILVERBRIDGE.'
Then he copied this letter and enclosed the copy in another which
he wrote to his brother.
'DEAR GERALD,
'What an ass you have been! But I don't suppose you are worse
than I was at Doncaster.
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