But as to private debts--and the tradesmen to whom they
were owed--his standards were still essentially those of the Whigs from
whom he descended, of Fox, the all-indebted, or of Melbourne, who has
left an amusing disquisition on the art of dividing a few loaves and
fishes in the shape of bank-notes among a multitude of creditors.
Not that affairs were as yet very bad. Far from it. But there was little
to spare for Madame d'Estrees, who ought, indeed, to want nothing; and
Ashe was vaguely meditating his reply to that lady when a face in a
carriage near them, which was trying to enter the line, caught his
attention.
"Mary!" he said, "a la Sir Joshua--and mother. They don't see us. Query,
will Cliffe take the leap to-night? Mother reports a decided increase of
ardor on his part. Sorry you don't approve of it, darling!"
"It's just like lighting a lamp to put it out--that's all!" said Kitty,
with vivacity. "The man who marries Mary is done for."
"Not at all. Mary's money will give him the pedestal he wants, and trust
Cliffe to take care of his own individuality afterwards! Now, if you'll
transfer your alarms to
Mary, I'm with you!"
"Oh! of
course he'll be unkind to her.
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