for a thousand at least."

As for Maria, that generous creature accepted the good fortune sent
her with a grateful heart; and was ready to accept as much more as you
pleased. Having paid off her debts to her various milliners, tradesmen,
and purveyors, she forthwith proceeded to contract new ones. Mrs. Betty,
her ladyship's maid, went round informing the tradespeople that her
mistress was about to contract a matrimonial alliance with a young
gentleman of immense fortune; so that they might give my lady credit
to any amount. Having heard the same story twice or thrice before, the
tradesfolk might not give it entire credit, but their bills were paid:
even to Mrs. Pincott, of Kensington, my lady showed no rancour, and
affably ordered fresh supplies from her: and when she drove about from
the mercer to the toy-shop, and from the toy-shop to the jeweller in
a coach, with her maid and Mr. Warrington inside, they thought her a
fortunate woman indeed, to have secured the Fortunate Youth, though they
might wonder at the taste of this latter in having selected so elderly a
beauty. Mr. Sparks, of Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, took the liberty
of waiting upon Mr. Warrington at his lodgings in Bond Street, with the
pearl necklace and the gold etwee which he had bought in Lady Maria's
company the day before; and asking whether he, Sparks, should leave them
at his honour's lodging, or send them to her ladyship with his honour's
compliments? Harry added a ring out of the stock which the jeweller
happened to bring with him, to the necklace and the etwee; and
sumptuously bidding that individual to send him in the bill, took a
majestic leave of Mr. Sparks, who retired, bowing even to Gumbo, as he
quitted his honour's presence.

Nor did his bounties end here. Ere many days the pleased young fellow
drove up in his phaeton to Mr. Sparks' shop, and took a couple of
trinkets for two young ladies, whose parents had been kind to him, and
for whom he entertained a sincere regard. "Ah!" thought he, "how I wish
I had my poor George's wit, and genius for poetry! I would send these
presents with pretty verses to Hetty and Theo. I am sure, if goodwill
and real regard could make a poet of me, I should have no difficulty in
finding rhymes." And so he called in Parson Sampson, and they concocted
a billet together.

CHAPTER XLIII. In which Harry flies High

So Mr. Harry Warrington, of Virginia, had his lodgings in Bond Street,
London, Engl