The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 125: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

98 THE COURT OF LONDON interest. In a word, they represented the amount of benefit which a liberal banking and loan system would confer upon the farmers of the surrounding districts, — by saving that class of the industrious population from the rapacity of money-lenders, and from the necessity of forcing sales of their grain at large sacrifices. I cordially approved of the scheme; and the partners, having succeeded in making this favourable impression upon me, began to throw out hints relative to their want of adequate capital to carry out these philanthropic views. The bait took, and I in- genuously assured them that such an obstacle should not be allowed to stand in their way, as I would cheerfully advance any reasonable sum that they might require. I was rich, and had the means, — too rich and too well con- tented with the fortune I enjoyed to be influenced by any selfish motives. It was therefore, animated only with the desire to prove useful to a most deserving class, that I suffered myself to be drawn into a partnership with Martin and Ramsey. This connection rendered us more intimate, if possible, than ever; and Ramsey, in particular, scarcely ever suffered an evening to elapse without calling at the manor. Shortly after the settlement of those financial matters, the death of my relative in Devonshire called me into that county; and my wife, being somewhat indisposed at the time, could not accompany me. I was absent for nearly two months; and on my return Eleanor welcomed me with an enthusiasm which at the time filled my heart. with joy, but which I now look back upon as the affectation of a vile duplicity. I learned that Mr. Ramsey had been constant in his visits during my absence; and I remember that I thanked him with friendly warmth for the attentions he had thus shown to my beloved Eleanor. Insensate fool that I was! how could I have been so blind? My return was seized upon by my wife as an excuse for giving a grand festival; and I soon began to perceive that a fond- ness for company and pleasure was gaining a rapid as- cendency over her. She grew expensive in her dress, her jewelry, her equipage, and her entertainments; and the once quiet and tranquil manor was in course of time trans- formed into a scene of incessant gaiety. J never remon- strated with Eleanor as long as her proceedings involved no expenditure that exceeded our income; for I loved her COMMICLOOOKS.(E)