“Not so deeply. With me ’twas a boy’s passion, but with him ’twas serious.”

O’Hara remained silent, his mouth unusually hard.

“Put yourself in his place,” pleaded Jack. “If you⁠—”

“Thank you!” O’Hara laughed unpleasantly. “No, Jack, we shall not agree on this subject, and we had best leave it alone. I do not think you need worry about him, though. I believe he is not in debt.”

“Does he have fair luck with his racing and his⁠—”

O’Hara smiled grimly.

“Dick is a very changed man, John. He does not keep racehorses, neither does he play cards, save for appearance’s sake.”

“Dick not play! What then does he do?”

“Manages your estates and conducts his wife to routs. When in town,” bitterly, “he inhabits your house.”