r a diamond necklace,
and says I refuse her because I have lost five thousand to the
Virginian. My old Duchess of Q. has the very same story, besides knowing
to a fraction what Chesterfield and Jack have lost.

"Warrington treated the company to breakfast and music at the rooms; and
you should have seen how the women tore him to pieces. That fiend of
a Cattarina ogled him out of my vis-a-vis, and under my very nose,
yesterday, as we were driving to Penshurst, and I have no doubt has sent
him a billet-doux ere this. He shot Jack Morris all to pieces at a mark:
we shall try him with partridges when the season comes.

"He is a fortunate fellow, certainly. He has youth (which is not
deboshed by evil courses in Virginia, as ours is in England); he has
good health, good looks, and good luck.

"In a word, Mr. Warrington has won our money in a very gentlemanlike
manner; and, as I like him, and wish to win some of it back again, I put
him under your worship's saintly guardianship. Adieu! I am going to the
North, and shall be back for Doncaster.--Yours ever, dear George, M. et R."

"To George Augustus Selwyn, Esq., at White's Chocolate House, St.
James's Street."

CHAPTER XXVIII. The Way of the World

Our young Virginian found himself, after two or three days at Tunbridge
Wells, by far the most important personage in that merry little
watering-place. No nobleman in the place inspired so much curiosity. My
Lord Bishop of Salisbury himself was scarce treated with more respect.
People turned round to look after Harry as he passed, and country-folks
stared at him as they came into market. At the rooms, matrons encouraged
him to come round to them, and found means to leave him alone with their
daughters, most of whom smiled upon him. Everybody knew, to an acre and
a shilling, the extent of his Virginian property, and the amount of his
income. At every tea-table in the Wells, his winnings at play were told
and calculated. Wonderful is the knowledge which our neighbours have
of our affairs! So great was the interest and curiosity which Harry
inspired, that people even smiled upon his servant, and took Gumbo aside
and treated him with ale and cold meat, in order to get news of the
young Virginian. Mr. Gumbo fattened under the diet, became a leading
member of the Society of Valets in the place, and lied more enormously
than ever. No party was complete unless Mr. Warr