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Let me advise you, then, my dear sir, to console yourself as much

as possible, to throw off your unworthy child from your affection

for ever, and leave her to reap the fruits of her own heinous

offence.

"I am, dear sir," etc., etc.

Mr. Gardiner did not write again, till he had received an answer

from Colonel Forster; and then he had nothing of a pleasant

nature to send. It was not known that Wickham had a single

relation with whom he kept up any connection, and it was certain

that he had no near one living. His former acquaintance had been

numerous; but since he had been in the militia, it did not appear

that he was on terms of particular friendship with any of them.

There was no one, therefore, who could be pointed out as likely

to give any news of him. And in the wretched state of his own

finances, there was a very powerful motive for secrecy, in

addition to his fear of discovery by Lydia's relations; for it

had just transpired that he had left gaming debts behind him to a

very considerable amount. Colonel Forster believed that more than

a thousand pounds would be necessary to clear his expenses at

Brighton. He owed a good deal in the town, but his debts of

honour were still more formidable. Mr.