Page:Mysteries of Melbourne Life.djvu/10

6 Yet this had no effect upon him; it was but as the final strokes on the numbed nerves of him who is broken on the wheel. He shut his eyes and closed his ears, and would not heed. He had entered upon a path of his own, and he would allow no one to lead him.

He knew that it would be vain to ask Harry for anything, for he had long since resolutely refused to hold any intercourse with him. But he had always found that Robert's nature could not refuse an appeal. And yet how he hated him; how his eyes gleamed when they lit on the once friendly face! It was Robert who had come between him and the one he loved; but for his cursed fascination he might have been a happy, prosperous man. And he knew well that, ere many weeks, Robert would call her his own, that—but here the man's face became hideous with the envy and revenge that swelled his heart to bursting. What dreadful thoughts the sight of that bright young face created in the mind of this unfortunate fallen man! Could those who stood around have imagined what they were they would have seized him and hurled him out into the street, as they would a deadly viper.

But hunger is all-powerful, and Hugh had tasted nothing for two days. His companions in wickedness had deserted him when his money was spent, and he would make no exertion to earn his living. It was desperation that urged him to come here to-day. As the customers were now departing, he walked over to the desk behind which Robert stood. Robert was marking some cheque when he heard the well-known voice, and the start he gave, and the change of color in his face, announced the impression it made. But it was only momentary. Advised by Harry, he had resolved to cast off this man, who had so utterly gone astray, and to whom it was cruelty to lend money.

"What do you want?" he asked in as stern a voice as he could.

"Want!" said Hugh; "can you look at me and ask that?"

"If you want money," said Robert, "you'll not get it from me. As long as there appeared the slightest hope of reformation, Harry and I supplied you with funds; but when we saw that the more we gave, the worse it was for you, that our hard-earned money was squandered, we resolved to give no more. We believe that the only way of reforming you is to leave you to be taught by necessity; you will then be compelled to labor, and perhaps that will bring back those regular habits and proper respect for yourself which can alone make you what you were. Then, notwithstanding all that has passed, we will step forward, and do all we can to place you in a position equal to that which you have lost. We will do this," said Robert, his voice growing kinder and lower, "because we never can forget what we were to one another."

And he buried his face in the ledger.

"But, but," said Hugh, in a tone that denoted anger struggling with his ravenous desire for food, which tamed his ferocity, "but, but give me a few shillings, and I'll never come near you again. I am hungry."

Robert raised his face.

"This is no country for you to plead that," said he calmly, though it was easy to see he had to struggle with his naturally kind heart. "You cannot starve if you like to work, and work you must to bring you back to your senses. Yon need not press in that way. Take care! or I'll send for a policeman."

Hugh fell back, and his eyes dilated till they seemed to fill with fire. Then conquering nature, which counselled abject suppliance, he spoke out in a voice which no one who heard it ever forgot.

"This from you!" said he. "This to a poor starving wretch from a man with abundance, in comfort, surrounded by all that can be desired! I will never forget this moment, and I will never forgive. I have sinned and fallen; so may you, Mr. Robert Wilton, with all your pretty ways and many friends. And you will, you will; I know you will! And when that comes to pass, may the same be meted out to you which you have meted out to me!"

And with a rapid step he passed out of the bank, amidst the wonder of all present, who thought some melodramatic madman had fallen amongst them. There was a general laugh when he cleared out, but Robert's face was for a while clouded, for he had gone against his whole nature in acting as he had, and knowing the strange, vindictive, impulsive nature of Hugh, he could not but feel a dread at his words, particularly when he remembered that many had said be had become partially insane.

"You have done well," said Harry, when the day's work was over, and they were quitting the bank. "As long as you would supply money he would do no good; now necessity will force him to change his life."

"Perhaps for the worse," said Robert; "he might commit suicide, or steal. Think of him dead, or in gaol, Harry—Hugh, who was once so dear to us."