But it died away as he proceeded.
"In his choice of an investment for his capital Mr Cruden consulted no one, I believe, beyond himself.

For some time it seemed a fortunate investment, and the shares rose in value, but latterly they took a turn for the worse, and early this year I am sorry to say one of the railways suspended payment altogether, and Mr Cruden lost a considerable portion of his fortune thereby." "I heard my husband say some months ago that he had made some slight loss in the City," said Mrs Cruden, "but I imagined from the light manner in which he treated it that it was quite trifling, and would be quickly repaired." "He did hope that would be the case.

Although all his friends urged him to sell out at once, he insisted on holding on, in the hope of the railway recovering itself." "And has it recovered ?" asked Mrs Cruden, with a tremble in her voice.
"I regret to say it has not, Mrs Cruden.

On the contrary, it was declared bankrupt a few days ago, and what is still more deplorable, it has involved in its own ruin the other railway in which the remainder of your husband's property was invested, so that all the shares which stand in his name in both concerns are now worth no more than the paper they are printed on." Mr Richmond came to the point at last with startling abruptness, so much so that for a moment or two his listeners sat almost petrified by the bad news, and unable to say a word.

The lawyer finished what he had to say without waiting.
"Your husband heard this lamentable news, Mrs Cruden, on the occasion of his last visit to the City.