"It cannot be," she added anxiously, "that you
have broken your promise,--that they have drawn you again to the
gaming-table,--that you are involved in debt to these men?"
Philip whistled an air and sauntered up to the window.
Lady Grange pressed her hand over her eyes, and a sigh, a very heavy
sigh, burst from her bosom. Philip heard, and turned impatiently round.
"There's no use in making the worst of matters," said he; "what's done
can't be helped; and my debts, such as they are, won't ruin a rich man
like my father."
"It is not that which I fear," said the mother faintly, with a terrible
consciousness that her son,--her hope, her pride, the delight of her
heart,--had entered on a course which, if persevered in, must end in his
ruin both of body and soul. "I tremble at the thought of the misery
which you are bringing on yourself. These men are making you their
victim: they are blinding your eyes; they are throwing a net around you,
and you have not the resolution to break from the snare."
"They are very pleasant, jovial fellows!" cried Philip, trying to hide
under an appearance of careless gaiety the real annoyance which he felt
at the words of his mother.
"I've asked them to dine here to-day and--"
"I shall not appear at the table," said Lady Grange, drawing herself up
with dignity; "and if your father should arrive--"
"Oh! he won't arrive to-night; he never travels so late.
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