‘What a wonderful career it has been!’

’Yes;—­the strangest thing that has come up in our days.  I am inclined to think that the utter ruin at this moment has been brought about by his reckless personal expenditure.’

‘Why did he spend such a lot of money?’

’Because he thought he could conquer the world by it, and obtain universal credit.  He very nearly succeeded too.  Only he had forgotten to calculate the force of the envy of his competitors.’

‘You think he has committed forgery?’

‘Certainly, I think so.  Of course we know nothing as yet.’

‘Then I suppose it is better that Felix should not have married her.’

’Certainly better.  No redemption was to have been had on that side, and I don...