was to
bring about this end that Thomas Newcome had toiled and had amassed a
fortune. Could not Clive, with his talents and education, go down once
or twice a week to the City and take a decent part in the business by
which his wealth was secured? He appeared at the various board-rooms
and City conclaves, yawned at the meetings, and drew figures on the
blotting-paper of the Company; had no interest in its transactions,
no heart in its affairs; went away and galloped his horse alone; or
returned to his painting-room, put on his old velvet jacket, and worked
with his palettes and brushes. Palettes and brushes! Could he not give
up these toys when he was called to a much higher station in the world?
Could he not go talk with Rosey;--drive with Rosey, kind little soul,
whose whole desire was to make him happy? Such thoughts as these, no
doubt, darkened the Colonel's mind, and deepened the furrows round his
old eyes. So it is, we judge men by our own standards; judge our nearest
and dearest often wrong.

Many and many a time did Clive try and talk with the little Rosey, who
chirped and prattled so gaily to his father. Many a time would she come
and sit by his easel, and try her little powers to charm him, bring him
little tales about their acquaintances, stories about this ball and
that concert, practise artless smiles upon him, gentle little bouderies,
tears, perhaps, followed by caresses and reconciliation. At the end of
which he would return to his cigar; and she, with a sigh and a heavy
heart, to the good old man who had bidden her to go and talk with him.
He used to feel that his father had sent her; the thought came across
him in their conversations, and straightway his heart would shut up and
his face grew gloomy. They were not made to mate with one another. This
was the truth; the shoe was a very pretty little shoe, but Clive's foot
was too big for it.

Just before the testimonial, Mr. Clive was in constant attendance at
home, and very careful and kind and happy with his wife, and the whole
family party went very agreeably. Doctors were in constant attendance at
Mrs. Clive Newcome's door; prodigious care was taken by the good Colonel
in wrapping her and in putting her little feet on sofas, and in leading
her to her carriage. The Campaigner came over in immense flurry from
Edinburgh (where Uncle James was now very comfortably lodged in Picardy
Place with the most agreeable society round about him), and all this
cir