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           ThechanceswerethatMay,whoknewnothingofhisprofessionallife,andhadnevershownanyinterestinit,wouldnotlearnofthepostponement,shouldittakeplace,norrememberthenamesofthelitigantsiftheywerementionedbeforeher;andatanyratehecouldnolongerputoffseeingMadameOlenska.Thereweretoomanythingsthathemustsaytoher.OntheWednesdaymorning,whenhereachedhisoffice,Mr.Letterblairmethimwithatroubledface.Beaufort,afterall,hadnotmanagedto"tideover";butbysettingafloattherumourthathehaddonesohehadreassuredhisdepositors,andheavypaymentshadpouredintothebanktillthepreviousevening,whendisturbingreportsagainbegantopredominate.Inconsequence,arunonthebankhadbegun,anditsdoorswerelikelytoclosebeforethedaywasover.TheugliestthingswerebeingsaidofBeaufort’sdastardlymanoeuvre,andhisfailurepromisedtobeoneofthemostdiscreditableinthehistoryofWallStreet.TheextentofthecalamityleftMr.Letterblairwhiteandincapacitated."I’veseenbadthingsinmytime;butnothingasbadasthis.Everybodyweknowwillbehit,onewayoranother.AndwhatwillbedoneaboutMrs.Beaufort?WhatCANbedoneabouther?IpityMrs.MansonMingottasmuchasanybody:comingatherage,there’snoknowingwhateffectthisaffairmayhaveonher.ShealwaysbelievedinBeaufort—shemadeafriendofhim!Andthere’sthewholeDallasconnection:poorMrs.Beaufortisrelatedtoeveryoneofyou.