Complete Project Gutenberg John Galsworthy Works eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 6,432 pages of information about Complete Project Gutenberg John Galsworthy Works.

Complete Project Gutenberg John Galsworthy Works eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 6,432 pages of information about Complete Project Gutenberg John Galsworthy Works.

He was believed to have a bedroom at the back.

As far as the family had been able to ascertain his income, it consisted of two consulting appointments at twenty pounds a year, together with an odd fee once in a way, and—­more worthy item—­a private annuity under his father’s will of one hundred and fifty pounds a year.

What had transpired concerning that father was not so reassuring.  It appeared that he had been a Lincolnshire country doctor of Cornish extraction, striking appearance, and Byronic tendencies—­a well-known figure, in fact, in his county.  Bosinney’s uncle by marriage, Baynes, of Baynes and Bildeboy, a Forsyte in instincts if not in name, had but little that was worthy to relate of his brother-in-law.

“An odd fellow!’ he would say:  ’always spoke of his three eldest boys as ‘good creatures, but so dull’; they’re all doing capitally in the Indian Civil!  Philip was the only one he liked.  I’ve heard him talk in the queerest way; he once said to me:  ’My dear fellow, never let your poor wife know what you’re thinking of!  But I didn’t follow his advice; not I!  An eccentric man!  He would say to Phil:  ’Whether you live like a gentleman or not, my boy, be sure you die like one! and he had himself embalmed in a frock coat suit, with a satin cravat and a diamond pin.  Oh, quite an original, I can assure you!”

Of Bosinney himself Baynes would speak warmly, with a certain compassion:  “He’s got a streak of his father’s Byronism.  Why, look at the way he threw up his chances when he left my office; going off like that for six months with a knapsack, and all for what?—­to study foreign architecture—­foreign!  What could he expect?  And there he is—­a clever young fellow—­doesn’t make his hundred a year!  Now this engagement is the best thing that could have happened—­keep him steady; he’s one of those that go to bed all day and stay up all night, simply because they’ve no method; but no vice about him—­not an ounce of vice.  Old Forsyte’s a rich man!”

Mr. Baynes made himself extremely pleasant to June, who frequently visited his house in Lowndes Square at this period.

“This house of your cousin’s—­what a capital man of business—­is the very thing for Philip,” he would say to her; “you mustn’t expect to see too much of him just now, my dear young lady.  The good cause—­the good cause!  The young man must make his way.  When I was his age I was at work day and night.  My dear wife used to say to me, ’Bobby, don’t work too hard, think of your health’; but I never spared myself!”

June had complained that her lover found no time to come to Stanhope Gate.

The first time he came again they had not been together a quarter of an hour before, by one of those coincidences of which she was a mistress, Mrs. Septimus Small arrived.  Thereon Bosinney rose and hid himself, according to previous arrangement, in the little study, to wait for her departure.

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