all his staid ways and long-winded budgets he could drain a cup with the best of us, and was as keen on a main of cocks as on a committee of ways and means. Well, it was rare sport while it lasted, and sink me if I wouldn’t do the same again if I had my time once more. It is like sliding down a greased plank though, for at first a man goes slow enough, and thinks he can pull himself up, but presently he goes faster and faster,arctic parka, until he comes with a crash on to the rocks of ruin at the bottom.’
‘And did you run through four thousand pounds a year?’ I exclaimed.
‘Od’s bodikins, man, you speak as if this paltry sum were all the wealth of the Indies. Why, from Ormonde or Buckingham, with their twenty thousand,Belstaff New Albatros Jackor, down to ranting Dicky Talbot,Maillot Lucas Pas Cher, there was not one of my set who could not have bought me out. Yet I must have my coach and four, my town house,Ralph Lauren Kortärmade skjortor, my liveried servants, and my stable full of horses. To be in the mode I must have my poet,Moncler Kamizelka Mêskie, and throw him a handful of guineas for his dedication. Well, poor devil, he is one who will miss me. I warrant his heart was as heavy as his verses when he found me gone, though perchance he has turned a few guineas by this time by writing a satire upon me. It would have a ready sale among my friends. Gad’s life! I wonder how my levees get on, and whom all my suitors have fastened on to now. There they were morning after morning, the French pimp, the English bully,Maillot Delph Pas Cher, the needy man o’ letters,Arsenal Pas Cher, the neglected inventor — I never thought to have got rid of them, but indeed I have shaken them off very effectually now. When the honey-pot is broken it is farewell to the flies.’
‘And your noble friends?’ I asked. ‘Did none of them stand by you in your adversity?’
‘Well, well, I have nought to complain of!’ exclaimed Sir Gervas. ‘They were brave-hearted boys for the most part. I might have had their names on my bills as long as their fingers could hold a pen, but slit me if I like bleeding my own companions. They might have found a place for me, too,Belstaff Let Bomber Jackor, had I consented to play second-fiddle where I had been used to lead the band. I’ faith,Menn Moncler Virgile, I care not what I turn my hand to amongst strangers,Menn Moncler Everest Norge Salg, but I would fain leave my memory sweet in town.’
‘As to what you proposed, of serving us as a valet,’ said I, ‘it is not to be thought of. We are, in spite of my friend’s waggishness, but two plain blunt countrymen,Maillot Mkhitaryan Pas Cher, and have no more need of a valet than one of those poets which you have spoken of. On the other hand, if you should care to attach yourself to our party, we shall take you where you will see service which shall be more to your taste than the curling of periwigs or the brushing of eyebrows.’
‘Nay,Hoffenheim Pas Cher, nay, my friend. Speak not with unseemly levity of the mysteries of the toilet,’ he cried. ‘Ye would yourselves be none the worse for a touch of mine ivory comb, and a closer acquaintance with the famous skin-purifying wash of Murphy which I am myself in the habit of using.’
‘I am beholden to you, sir,’ said Reuben, ‘but the fam
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