Will's forebodings were but too well justified.

The disastrous man came only to say that all his efforts had failed.

His debtor for ten thousand pounds was himself in such straits that he could only live by desperate expedients, and probably would not be able to pay a penny of interest this year.
"Happily," said Sherwood, "his father's health is breaking.

One is obliged to talk in this brutal way, you know.

At the father's death it will be all right; I shall then have my legal remedy, if there's need of it.