 know in what bitterness of
regret, unless you knew how often I have thought of Tom; how long in almost
hopeless circumstances, I have looked forward to the better estimation of his
friendship; and how steadfastly I have believed and trusted in him.«
    »Tut, tut,« said Tom, stopping her as she was about to speak. »He is
mistaken. He is deceived. Why should you mind? He is sure to be set right at
last.«
    »Heaven bless the day that sets me right!« cried Martin, »if it could ever
come!«
    »Amen!« said Tom. »And it will!«
    Martin paused, and then said in a still milder voice:
    »You have chosen for yourself, Tom, and will be relieved by our parting. It
is not an angry one. There is no anger on my side -«
    »There is none on mine,« said Tom.
    »- It is merely what you have brought about, and worked to bring about. I
say again, you have chosen for yourself. You have made the choice that might
have been expected in most people situated as you are, but which I did not
expect in you. For that, perhaps, I should blame my own judgment more than you.
There is wealth and favour worth having, on one side; and there is the worthless
friendship of an abandoned, struggling fellow, on the other. You were free to
make your election, and you made it; and the choice was not difficult. But those
who have not the courage to resist such temptations, should have the courage to
avow what they have yielded to them; and I do blame you for this, Tom: that you
received me with a show of warmth, encouraged me to be frank and plain-spoken,
tempted me to confide in you, and professed that you were able to be mine; when
you had sold yourself to others. I do not believe,« said Martin, with emotion:
»hear me say it from my heart; I cannot believe, Tom, now that I am standing
face to face with you, that it would have been in your nature to do me any
serious harm, even though I had not discovered, by chance, in whose employment
you were. But I should have encumbered you; I should have led you into more
double-dealing; I should have hazarded your retaining the favour for which you
have paid so high a price, bartering away your former self; and it is best for
both of us
