I cannot ask you to share it." "Dishonor! The loss of some miserable gold and silver coins!" "Oh, Clara, if it were only that! We could be far happier together in a little cottage in the country than with all the riches of the City.
Poverty could not cut me to the heart, as I have been cut this morning.
Why, it is but twenty minutes since I had the letter, Clara, and it seems to me to be some old, old thing which happened far away in my past life, some horrid black cloud which shut out all the freshness and the peace from it." "But what is it, then?
What do you fear worse than poverty ?" "To have debts that I cannot meet.

To be hammered upon 'Change and declared a bankrupt.

To know that others have a just claim upon me and to feel that I dare not meet their eyes.

Is not that worse than poverty ?" "Yes, Harold, a thousand fold worse! But all this may be got over.

Is there nothing more ?" "My partner has fled and left me responsible for heavy debts, and in such a position that I may be required by the law to produce some at least of this missing money.