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ON HIS WAY THROUGH THE WORLD 185
riches is confirmed by the known fact that he is a stingy Black
Prince, and most averse to parting with his money except for his own
adornment or amusement. When he receives at his country-house,
his entertainments are, however, splendid. He has been flattered,
followed, caressed all his life, and allowed by a fond mother to have
his own way ; and as this has never led him to learning, it must be
owned that his literary acquirements are small, and his writing
defective. But in the management of his pecuniary affairs he is
very keen and clever. His horses cost him less than any young
man's in England who is so well mounted. No dealer has ever
been known to get the better of him ; and, though he is certainly
close about money, when his wishes have very keenly prompted
him, no sum has been known to stand in his way.
Witness the purchase of the ________ . But never mind scandal.
Let bygones be bygones. A young doctor's son, with a thousand
a year for a fortune, may be considered a catch in some circles,
but not, vows concevez, in the upper regions of society. And dear
woman—dear, angelic, highly accomplished, respectable woman—
does she not know how to pardon many failings in our sex ? Age ?
psha! She will crown my bare old poll with the roses of her
youth. Complexion ? What contrast is sweeter and more touching
than Desdemona's golden ringlets on swart Othello's shoulder ! A
past life of selfishness and bad company ? Come out from among
the swine, my prodigal, and I will purify thee !
This is what is called cynicism, you know. Then I suppose my
wife is a cynic, who clutches her children to her pure heart, and
prays gracious Heaven to guard them from selfishness, from worldliness,
from heartlessness, from wicked greed.