Mrs.
Enderby's reckless extravagance had soon involved her husband in
great difficulties. He was growing haggard; his health was failing;
his activity shrank within the narrowest possible limits; he shunned
men's gaze.
Yet all at once there happened something which revived much of his
old zeal, and, in spite of everything, brought him once more
prominently forward. A calamity had visited the town. By a great
explosion in a neighbouring colliery, numbers of homes had been
rendered destitute, and aid of every kind was imperatively called
for on all sides. In former times, Paul Enderby would have been just
the man for this occasion, and even now he was not wanting.
Extensive subscriptions were raised, and he, as chief man in the
committee which had been formed, had chief control of the funds.
People said afterwards that they had often remarked something
singular in his manner as he went about in these duties. Whether
that was true or not, something more than singular happened when,
some two months later, accounts were being investigated and cleared
up. Late one evening, Mr. Enderby left home,--and never returned
to it. It was very soon known that he must have appropriated to his
own use considerable sums which had reached his hands for charitable
purposes, and the scandal was terrific.
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