That promise was made before--before I exactly knew the state of my affairs!" "Before Dunster's disappearance, in fact," said Mr.Corbet, fixing his steady, penetrating eyes on Mr.Wilkins's countenance.
"Yes--exactly--before Dunster's--" mumbled out Mr.Wilkins, red and confused, and not finishing his sentence.
"By the way," said Ralph (for with careful carelessness of manner he thought he could extract something of the real nature of the impending disgrace from his companion, in the state in which he then was; and if he only knew more about this danger he could guard against it; guard others; perhaps himself)--"By the way, have you ever heard anything of Dunster since he went off to--America, isn't it thought ?" He was startled beyond his power of self-control by the instantaneous change in Mr.Wilkins which his question produced.

Both started up; Mr.
Wilkins white, shaking, and trying to say something, but unable to form a sensible sentence.
"Good God! sir, what is the matter ?" said Ralph, alarmed at these signs of physical suffering.
Mr.Wilkins sat down, and repelled his nearer approach without speaking.
"It is nothing, only this headache which shoots through me at times.
Don't look at me, sir, in that way.

It is very unpleasant to find another man's eyes perpetually fixed upon you." "I beg your pardon," said Ralph, coldly; his short-lived sympathy, thus repulsed, giving way to his curiosity.

But he waited for a minute or two without daring to renew the conversation at the point where they had stopped: whether interrupted by bodily or mental discomfort on the part of his companion he was not quite sure.

While he hesitated how to begin again on the subject, Mr.Wilkins pulled the bottle of brandy to himself and filled his glass again, tossing off the spirit as if it had been water.