e way of just contribution from the least
unsubstantial of those shadows called the shareholders),--my father's
fortune was reduced to a sum of between seven and eight thousand pounds,
which being placed at mortgage at four per cent, yielded just L372 10s.
a year: enough for my father to live upon, but not enough to afford
also his son Pisistratus the advantages of education at Trinity College,
Cambridge. The blow fell rather upon me than my father, and my young
shoulders bore it without much wincing.

This settled to our universal satisfaction, I went to pay my farewell
visit to Sir Sedley Beaudesert. He had made much of me during my stay
in London. I had breakfasted and dined with him pretty often; I had
presented Squills to him, who no sooner set eyes upon that splendid
conformation than he described his character with the nicest accuracy,
as the necessary consequence of such a development for the rosy
pleasures of life. We had never once retouched on the subject of Fanny's
marriage, and both of us tacitly avoided even mentioning the Trevanions.
But in this last visit, though he maintained the same reserve as to
Fanny, he referred without scruple to her father.

"Well, my young Athenian," said he, after congratulating me on the
result of the negotiations, and endeavoring again in vain to bear at
least some share in my father's losses, "well, I see I cannot press this
further; but at least I can press on you any little interest I may have
in obtaining some appointment for yourself in one of the public offices.
Trevanion could of course be more useful; but I can understand that he
is not the kind of man you would like to apply to."

"Shall I own to you, my dear Sir Sedley, that I have no taste for
official employment? I am too fond of my liberty. Since I have been at
my uncle's old Tower, I account for half my character by the Borderer's
blood that is in me. I doubt if I am meant for the life of cities; and I
have odd floating notions in my head that will serve to amuse me when
I get home, and may settle into schemes. And now to change the subject:
may I ask what kind of person has succeeded me as Mr. Trevanion's
secretary?"

"Why, he has got a broad-shouldered, stooping fellow, in spectacles
and cotton stockings, who has written upon 'Rent,' I believe,--an
imaginative treatise in his case, I fear, for rent is a thing he could
never have received, and not often been trusted to pay. However, he
is one of your politi