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.
L’état pitoyable de ses finances était pour lui un puissant motif de se cacher, qui s’ajoutait a la crainte d’etre découvert par la famille de Lydia. Le bruit se répandait qu’il avait laissé derriere lui des dettes de jeu considérables.