gift of the fairy had secured her from awkwardness
of gesture, but it could not conceal awkwardness of expression and
address.

Still, however, both continued to have followers in abundance. The
castle was the constant resort of gay dissipated youths, who, in the
good spirits and good cheer of Adrian, enjoyed all they wished or cared
for; and who took pains to initiate him in all their vicious courses. He
had no real relish for the pleasures of the bottle, but was soon laughed
out of his moderation; and rather than be thought wanting in spirit,
poor Adrian plunged into excesses for which he had no natural taste, and
in which he found little acquired gratification. They thought proper
also to find fault with the decorations of the castle, on which Adrian
had valued himself, and suggested many useless and expensive
alterations. These were immediately ordered, but when the poor
tradesmen, who had worked hard to oblige him, made their demands, his
choice companions exclaimed in terms of violent wrath against them,
assuring him it was extremely insolent in those people to expect payment
as soon as their work was done, and that he ought to make them wait his
leisure. The fact was, these wicked advisers, who were ignorant of the
source from whence his fortune was derived, were afraid, if he paid his
debts, he would not have money left to squander upon them. Adrian had
not the slightest intention of defrauding any of the persons to whom he
was indebted; he felt secure of being able to pay them whenever he chose
it, and honestly intended to do so; but too weak in mind to bid defiance
to the ridicule of those whom he ought to have despised, he suffered
himself to be guided by them. In vain did Gabriel remonstrate; Gabriel
had long lost his influence, though his young master's heart was not yet
so corrupted as to dismiss the worthy man from his service, which his
associates, who called him a tiresome preaching old fellow, would fain
have persuaded him to do.

Several gentlemen who wished to pay their addresses to Amaranthe, had
applied to Adrian for his interest, and also for information respecting
the fortune they were to receive with her. Adrian expressed great
indignation at such inquiries being made. He had really, in his heart,
formed the most generous intentions towards his sister, but in the
enthusiasm with which he first contemplated her beauty, and from the
sincere affection he then felt for her, he conceived that she d