ith insufferable condescension. "It's all very well
for a fine gentleman to give himself airs; but for a fellow in a
spunging-house! Hang him!" says Draper, "I've a great mind not to
go!" Nevertheless, Mr. Draper did go, and found Mr. Warrington in his
misfortune even more arrogant than he had ever been in the days of his
utmost prosperity. Mr. W. sat on his bed, like a lord, in a splendid
gown with his hair dressed. He motioned his black man to fetch him a
chair.

"Excuse me, madam, but such haughtiness and airs I ain't accustomed to!"
said the outraged attorney.

"Take a chair and go on with your story, my good Mr. Draper!" said
Madame de Bernstein, smiling, to whom he went to report proceedings.
She was amused at the lawyer's anger. She liked her nephew for being
insolent in adversity.

The course which Draper was to pursue in his interview with Harry
had been arranged between the Baroness and her man of business on the
previous day. Draper was an able man, and likely in most cases to do a
client good service: he failed in the present instance because he was
piqued and angry, or, more likely still, because he could not understand
the gentleman with whom he had to deal. I presume that he who casts his
eye on the present page is the most gentle of readers. Gentleman, as
you unquestionably are, then, my dear sir, have you not remarked in
your dealings with people who are no gentlemen, that you offend them not
knowing the how or the why? So the man who is no gentleman offends you
in a thousand ways of which the poor creature has no idea himself. He
does or says something which provokes your scorn. He perceives that
scorn (being always on the watch, and uneasy about himself, his manners
and behaviour) and he rages. You speak to him naturally, and he fancies
still that you are sneering at him. You have indifference towards
him, but he hates you, and hates you the worse because you don't
care. "Gumbo, a chair to Mr. Draper!" says Mr. Warrington, folding his
brocaded dressing-gown round his legs as he sits on the dingy bed. "Sit
down, if you please, and let us talk my business over. Much obliged to
you for coming so soon in reply to my message. Had you heard of this
piece of ill-luck before?"

Mr. Draper had heard of the circumstance. "Bad news travel quick, Mr.
Warrington," he said; "and I was eager to offer my humble services as
soon as ever you should require them. Your friends, your family, will be
much pained that