“Yes, but they know you never pay.”
“They know I never do now, because I have no
money; but they know I will pay if I come into the
estate; and so I will, most honourably, besides a
few more thousands that I have in my book.”
“I congratulate you, with all my heart, Major.
How old is the present Lord B——?”
“I have just been examining the peerage—he
is sixtytwo; but he is very fresh and hearty, and
may live a long while yet. By-the-bye, Newland,
I committed a great error last night at the club.
I played pretty high, and lost a great deal of money.”
“That is unfortunate.”
“That was not the error; I actually paid all
my losings, Newland, and it has reduced the stock
amazingly. I lost seven hundred and fifty pounds.
I know I ought not to have paid away your money, but
the fact was, as I was hedging, it would not do not
to have paid, as I could not have made up my book
as I wished. It is, however, only waiting a few
weeks, till Mrs M—— decides my fate,
and then, either one way or the other, I shall have
money enough. If your people won’t give
you any more till you are of age, why we must send
to a little friend of mine, that’s all, and
you shall borrow for both of us.”
“Borrow!” replied I, not much liking the
idea; “they will never lend me money.”
“Won’t they?” replied the Major;
“no fear of that. Your signature, and my
introduction, will be quite sufficient.”
“We had better try to do without it, Major;
I do not much like it.”
“Well, if we can, we will; but I have not fifty
pounds left in my desk; how much have you?”
“About twenty,” replied I, in despair
at this intelligence; “but I think there is
a small sum left at the banker’s; I will go and
see.” I took up my hat and set off, to
ascertain what funds we might have in store.
I am over head and ears
in trouble about a lady’s ear-rings; commit
myself sadly, and am
very nearly committed.
I must say, that I was much annoyed at this intelligence.
The money-lenders would not be satisfied unless they
knew where my estates were, and had examined the will
at Doctors’ Commons; then all would be exposed
to the Major, and I should be considered by him as
an impostor. I walked down Pall Mall in a very
unhappy mood, so deep in thought, that I ran against
a lady, who was stepping out of her carriage at a
fashionable shop. She turned round, and I was
making my best apologies to a very handsome woman
when her ear-rings caught my attention. They
were of alternate coral and gold, and the fac-simile
in make to the chain given by Nattee to Fleta.
During my last visit, I had often had the chain in
my hand, and particularly marked the workmanship.
To make more sure, I followed into the shop, and stood
behind her, carefully examining them, as she looked
over a quantity of laces. There could be no doubt.
