An inexplicable nervousness interfered with all his habits of mind and body He was on the point of running down to St.Neots, to get through the last day of intolerable idleness, when the morning post again brought a letter from Sherwood.
"Confound the fellow!" he muttered, as he tore open the envelope.

"What else can he have to say?
No infernal postponement, I hope--" He read the first line and drew himself up like a man pierced with pain.
"My dear Warburton"-- thus wrote his partner, in a hand less legible than of wont--"I have such bad news for you that I hardly know how to tell it.

If I dared, I would come to you at once, but I simply have not the courage to face you until you know the worst, and have had time to get accustomed to it.

It is seven o'clock; an hour ago I learnt that all our money is lost--all yours, all that from St.Neots, all mine--every penny I have.

I have been guilty of unpardonable folly--how explain my behaviour?
The truth is, after the settlement in Little Ailie Street; I found myself much worse off than I had expected.