Mr. Farebrother was silent for a moment, and then said earnestly, “My dear fellow, let me ask you one question. Forgive me if I take a liberty.”

“I don’t believe you will ask anything that ought to offend me.”

“Then⁠—this is necessary to set my heart quite at rest⁠—you have not⁠—have you?⁠—in order to pay your debts, incurred another debt which may harass you worse hereafter?”

“No,” said Lydgate, coloring slightly. “There is no reason why I should not tell you⁠—since the fact is so⁠—that the person to whom I am indebted is Bulstrode. He has made me a very handsome advance⁠—a thousand pounds⁠—and he can afford to wait for repayment.”