[Cryptostudio-bugs] mself a doom

[Lababit <re...@we...>]

Won't you at least tell me what it is?" Tom could stand it no longer. He
_must_ speak. Whatever the confession cost him, whatever its effect
would be on his old schoolfellow's friendship, Charlie must know all. To
him at least he could not play the hypocrite or the deceiver. He had
turned from the mantelpiece, his hand was held out to take that of his
friend's, he was just about to speak, when the door of his room opened,
and there entered Gus, Mortimer, and two companions. "Here he is!" cried
Gus, not noticing that Tom had company. "Tommy, old man, you're in luck.
Old Owl has got a supper on to-night, no end of punch, my boy, and he's
expecting you; and afterwards we're going for a regular night of it to
the-- Hullo! who's your friend?" He caught sight of Charlie at this
moment, and for an instant failed to recognise in Tom's companion the
boy whom he had treated so shamefully at Gurley races. But he remembered
him in a moment. "What, surely--yet upon my honour so it is, our young
sporting friend. How are you, Charlie, my boy? Here's a game! You'll
come too, of course? Mortimer, this fellow is Drift's special--up to all
the wrinkles, no end of a knowing blade." During this brief and rapid
salutation Tom and Charlie, I need hardly say, were speechless. One in
utter despair, the other in utter rage and astonishment. In both the
revulsion of feeling caused by the interruption was almost stupefying,
and they stood for a moment staring at the intruders in simple
bewilderment. Tom was the first to find words. His cheeks were white,
and his voice almost choked as he said to Gus,-- "I wish you'd go. I'm
engaged." "So you are," said Gus, with a sneer; "but I say. Tom, old
man, I wish you'd come. It's too good a thing to miss." "Go away!"
almost gasped Tom. "Oh, of course an Englishman's house is his castle,"
said Gus, offended at this unusual rebuff; "you're a fool, though,
that's all. We were going to h