There was also love--to be
disposed of. And he did not know how.
First of all, paramount in his hopeless trouble, the desire to save
others from pain persisted.
For that reason he had been careful that Gerald should not know where
and how he was now obliged to live--lest the boy suspect and understand
how much of Selwyn's little fortune it had taken to settle his debts of
"honour" and free him from the sinister pressure of Neergard's
importunities.
For that reason, too, he dreaded to have Austin know, because, if the
truth were exposed, nothing in the world could prevent a violent and
final separation between him and the foolish boy who now, at last, was
beginning to show the first glimmering traces of character and common
sense.
So he let it be understood that his address was his club for the
present; for he also desired no scene with Boots, whom he knew would
attempt to force him to live with him in his cherished and brand-new
house. And even if he cared to accept and permit Boots to place him
under such obligations, it would only hamper him in his duties.
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