ny one. Your father
was such a respectable man,--beneficed clergyman!"

"And paid for your commission, Mr. Pompley. My name! I am not ashamed of
it. But do not fear I shall claim your relationship. No; I am ashamed of
you!"

The poor cousin put aside the purse, still stretched towards him, with
a scornful hand, and walked firmly down the lane. Colonel Pompley stood
irresolute. At that moment a window in his house was thrown open. He
heard the noise, turned round, and saw his wife looking out.

Colonel Pompley sneaked back through the shrubbery, hiding himself
amongst the trees.

CHAPTER X.

"Ill-luck is a betise," said the great Cardinal Richelieu; and in the
long run, I fear, his Eminence was right. If you could drop Dick Avenel
and Mr. Digby in the middle of Oxford Street,--Dick in a fustian jacket,
Digby in a suit of superfine; Dick with five shillings in his pocket,
Digby with L1000,--and if, at the end of ten years, you looked up your
two men, Dick would be on his road to a fortune, Digby--what we have
seen him! Yet Digby had no vice; he did not drink nor gamble. What was
he, then? Helpless. He had been an only son,--a spoiled child, brought
up as "a gentleman;" that is, as a man who was not expected to be
able to turn his hand to anything. He entered, as we have seen, a very
expensive regiment, wherein he found himself, at his father's death,
with L4000 and the incapacity to say "No." Not naturally extravagant,
but without an idea of the value of money,--the easiest, gentlest,
best-tempered man whom example ever led astray. This part of his career
comprised a very common history,--the poor man living on equal terms
with the rich. Debt; recourse to usurers; bills signed sometimes for
others, renewed at twenty per cent; the L4000 melted like snow; pathetic
appeal to relations; relations have children of their own; small help
given grudgingly, eked out by much advice, and coupled with
conditions. Amongst the conditions there was a very proper and prudent
one,--exchange into a less expensive regiment. Exchange effected; peace;
obscure country quarters; ennui, flute-playing, and idleness. Mr. Digby
had no resources on a rainy day--except flute-playing; pretty girl of
inferior rank; all the officers after her; Digby smitten; pretty girl
very virtuous; Digby forms honourable intentions; excellent sentiments;
imprudent marriage. Digby falls in life; colonel's lady will not
associate with Mrs. Digby; Digby cut