It was this that had startled Herman Brudenell out of his lethargy and
goaded him to look into his affairs. After examining his account with
his Paris banker with very unsatisfactory results, he determined to
retrench his own personal expenses, to arrange his estates upon the most
productive plan, and to let out Brudenell Hall.

He wrote to the Countess of Hurstmonceux, requesting her to vacate the
premises, and to his land-agent instructing him to let the estate.

In due course of time he received answers to both his letters. That of
the countess we have already seen; that of the land-agent informing him
of the vast improvement of the estate during the residence of the
Countess of Hurstmonceux upon it, and of the accumulation of its
revenues, and finally of the large sum placed to his credit in the local
bank by her ladyship.

This sum, of course, every sentiment of honor forbade Herman Brudenell
from appropriating. He therefore caused it to be withdrawn and deposited
with Lady Hurstmonceux's London bankers.

Soon after this he received notice that Brudenell Hall, stocked and
furnished as it was, had been let to Mr. Middleton.

The accumulated revenues of the estate he devoted to paying his mother's
debts, and the current revenues to her support, warning her at the same
time of impending embarrassments unless her expenses were retrenched.

But the warning was unheeded, and the folly and extravagance of his
mother and sisters were unabated. Like all other desperate gamblers, the
heavier their losses the greater became their stakes; they went on
living in the best hotels, keeping the most expensive servants, driving
the purest blooded horses, wearing the richest dresses and the rarest
jewels, giving the grandest balls, and--to use a common but strong
phrase--"going it with a rush!" All in the desperate hope of securing
for the young ladies wealthy husbands from among the titled aristocracy.

At length came another crisis; and once more Herman Brudenell was
compelled to intervene between them and ruin. This he did at a vast
sacrifice of property.

He wrote and gave Mr. Middleton warning to leave Brudenell Hall at the
end of the year, because, he said, that he himself wished to return
thither.

He did return thither; but it was only to sell off, gradually and
privately, all the stock on the home-farm, all the plate, rich
furniture, rare pictures, statues, vases, and articles of virtu in the
house, and all the