. Such as it was, it was paid half-yearly, and spent
within a month of the receipt, for the most signal proof possible of its
shameful insufficiency. Thus ten months of the year at least he lived
protesting, and many with him, compulsorily. For two months he was
a brilliant man. I penetrated his mystery enough to abstain from
questioning him, and enough to determine that on my coming of age he
should cease to be a pensioner, petitioner, and adventurer. He aimed at
a manifest absurdity.

In the meantime, after the lesson I had received as to the nature of
money, I saw with some alarm my father preparing to dig a great pit for
it. He had no doubt performed wonders. Despite of scandal and tattle,
and the deadly report of a penniless fortune-hunter having fascinated
the young heiress, he commanded an entrance to the receptions of both
the rival ladies dominant. These ladies, Lady Wilts and Lady Denewdney,
who moved each in her select half-circle, and could heretofore be
induced by none to meet in a common centre, had pledged themselves to
honour with their presence a ball he proposed to give to the choice
world here assembled on a certain illuminated day of the calendar.

'So I have now possession of Bath, Richie,' said he, twinkling to
propitiate me, lest I should suspect him of valuing his achievements
highly. He had, he continued, promised Hickson of the Fourth Estate,
that he would, before leaving the place, do his utmost to revive the
ancient glories of Bath: Bath had once set the fashion to the kingdom;
why not again? I might have asked him, why at all, or why at his
expense; but his lead was irresistible. Captain DeWitt and his valet,
and I, and a score of ladies, scores of tradesmen, were rushing,
reluctant or not, on a torrent. My part was to show that I was an
athlete, and primarily that I could fence and shoot. 'It will do no harm
to let it be known,' said DeWitt. He sat writing letters incessantly. My
father made the tour of his fair stewardesses from noon to three,
after receiving in audience his jewellers, linen-drapers, carpenters,
confectioners, from nine in the morning till twelve. At three o'clock
business ceased. Workmen then applying to him for instructions were
despatched to the bar of the hotel, bearing the recommendation to the
barmaid not to supply them refreshment if they had ever in their lives
been seen drunk. At four he dressed for afternoon parade. Nor could his
enemy have said that he was not