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564 THE ADVENTURES OF PHILIP
tub, was smiling on his friends, and talking upholstery with a
cheerful smirking countenance. On chintz, or some other household
errand, the ladies went prattling off: but there was no care, save
for husband and children, in Charlotte's poor little innocent heart
just then.
" Nice to hear her talking about sweet drawing-room chintzes,
isn't it ?" says Philip. "Shall we try Shoolbred's or the other
shop ?" And then he laughs. It was not a very lively laugh.
"You mean that you are determined, then, on _______ "
" On acknowledging my signature ? Of course," says Philip,
"if ever it is presented to me, I would own it." And having
formed and announced this resolution, I knew my stubborn friend
too well to think that he ever would shirk it.
The most exasperating part of the matter was, that however
generously Philip's friends might be disposed towards him, they
could not in this case give him a helping hand. The Doctor would
draw more bills, and more. As sure as Philip supplied, the parent
would ask ; and that devouring dragon of a Doctor had stomach
enough for the blood of all of us, were we inclined to give it.
In fact, Philip saw as much, and owned everything with his usual
candour. "I see what is going on in your mind, old boy," the
poor fellow said, " as well as if you spoke. You mean that I am
helpless and irreclaimable, and doomed to hopeless ruin. So it
would seem. A man can't escape his fate, friend, and my father
has made mine for me. If I manage to struggle through the payment
of this bill, of course he will draw another. My only chance
of escape is, that he should succeed in some of his speculations.
As he is always gambling, there may be some luck for him one
day or another. He won't benefit me, then. That is not his way.
If he makes a coup, he will keep the money, or spend it. He
won't give me any. But he will not draw upon me as he does
now, or send forth fancy imitations of the filial autograph. It is
a blessing to have such a father, isn't it ? I say, Pen, as I think
from whom I am descended, and look at your spoons, I am
astonished I have not put any of them in my pocket. You leave
me in the room with 'em quite unprotected. I say, it is quite
affecting the way in which you and your dear wife have confidence
in me." And with a bitter execration at his fate, the poor fellow
pauses for a moment in his lament.
His father was his fate, he seemed to think, and there were
no means of averting it. " You remember that picture of Abraham
and Isaac in the Doctor's study in Old Parr Street?" he would
say. "My patriarch has tied me up, and had the knife in me
repeatedly. He does not sacrifice me at one operation ; but there