It could never be forgiven! the cut direct was unanimously agreed on, and the little lady turned up her little nose in disdain, as her handsome barouche rolled past the lumbering carriage of the Right Honourable Lord Headerton.  She persuaded her husband to purchase that beautiful villa, in view of the family domain, that she might have more frequent opportunities of bringing, as she elegantly expressed it, “the proud beggars to their trumps;—­and why not?—­money’s money, all the world over.”  The Honourable Mister Augustus depended on his agent for the purchase, and some two thousand and odd pounds were consequently paid, or said to have been paid, for it, more than its value.  And then commenced the general warfare; full purse and empty head—­versus no purse, and old nobility.  They had the satisfaction of ruining each other—­the full purse was emptied by devouring duns, and the old nobility suffered by its connexion with vulgarity.

“I want to know, Honourable Mister Augustus Headerton”—­(the lady always gave the full name when addressing her husband; she used to say it was all she got for her money),—­“I want to know, Honourable Mister Augustus Headerton, the reason why the music master’s lessons, given to the Misses Headerton (they were blessed with seven sweet pledges of affection), have not been paid for?  I desired the steward to see to it, and you know I depend on him to settle these matters.”

The Honourable Mrs. Augustus Headerton rang the bell—­“Send Martin up.”

“Mister Martin,” the lady began, “what is the reason that Mr. Langi’s account has not been paid?”

“My master, ma’am knows that I have been anxious for him to look over the accounts; the goings-out are so very great, and the comings-in, as far as I know”—­The Honourable Mister Augustus Headerton spilt some of the whiskey-punch he was drinking, over a splendid hearth-rug, which drew the lady’s attention from what would have been an unpleasant eclaircissement.

“I cannot understand why difficulties should arise.  I am certain I brought a fortune large enough for all extravagance,” was the lady’s constant remark when expenditure was mentioned.  Years pass over the heads of the young—­and they grow old; and over the heads of fools—­but they never grow wise.

The Honourable Mister and Mistress Augustus Headerton were examples of this truth;—­their children grew up around them—­but could derive no support from their parent root.  The mother had depended on governesses and masters for the education of her girls—­and on their beauty, connexions, or accomplishments, to procure them husbands.  The father did not deem the labours of study fit occupation for the sons of an ancient house:—­“Depend upon it,” he would say, “they’ll all do well with my connexions—­they will be able to command what they please.”  The Honourable Mistress Augustus could not now boast of a full purse, for they had long been living on the memory of their once ample fortune.