“Why, my dear Sir, our friend’s in an unpleasant position⁠—very much so. We must be content to suffer some pecuniary loss.”

“I’ll suffer any, rather than submit to this disgrace, and let her, fool as she is, be made miserable for life,” said Wardle.

“I rather think it can be done,” said the bustling little man. “ Mr. Jingle, will you step with us into the next room for a moment?”

Mr. Jingle assented, and the quartette walked into an empty apartment.