As for himself, Mr. Balfour seemed to be made of money, so freely did he spend it; and if he did not offer the use of his purse to his young companion, it was only, as he told him, because he feared to offend his pride.  “Besides,” said he, when they were alone together on one of these expeditions of amusement, from which Solomon, whose notions of enjoyment were mainly confined to money-making, always excused himself upon pretense of having business to do, “it is only right your father should be made to fork out; he is as rich as Croesus.  It is quite unreasonable that he should stint you in enjoyment when, one day or another, you will have all the pleasures of life to pick and choose from.”

It would have tested Solomon’s new-born friendship severely if he could have heard Mr. Balfour dilate upon this topic, which he did with such earnestness and fervor that the lad was soon convinced of those great expectations which the cautious reticence of his parents had so long concealed from him.  On the other hand, Charley’s companion deduced an argument from this fair prospect which was not so welcome to the lad; he maintained that, under the circumstances, it would be madness to risk his father’s displeasure by uniting himself irretrievably to Agnes, or to any other young woman.  “My good offices will be always at your disposal, my lad,” urged he, gravely, “and I don’t deny that, at present, I have considerable influence with Mr. Coe; but it would not be proof against so flagrant an act of disobedience as that which you contemplate.  The great bulk of his property is at his own disposal; and his nature, if I may speak plainly to you in so important a matter, is obstinate and implacable.  At all events, there is no hurry, since you and this charming young lady are but boy and girl at present.  Life is uncertain, and you may be your own master any day; wait till you are so, or wait for a little, at all events, to see what may turn up; and in the mean time, lad, enjoy yourself.”  The last part of Mr. Balfour’s advice, at all events, was palatable enough, and that much of it Charles accepted; in doing which, as was anticipated, the whole intention of his Mentor became fulfilled.  Plunged in dissipation, the young man thought less and less of his love; gave himself little trouble, though he still avowed his unalterable attachment, to set himself right with her; grew more and more dissatisfied with his own home, at the same time that that of Agnes became less and less attractive; and, in short, he drifted away daily farther and farther from the safe moorings of love and duty.

Harry perceived all this with a dread so deep that it even drove her to invoke her husband’s aid against this man, who, inexplicable as his hostility might be, was bent, she firmly believed, upon the ruin of her darling boy.  With Solomon, as she well knew, the fact of his son’s dissipation was not likely to move him to interfere; he saw that the companionship of Balfour was gradually producing an estrangement between Charles and the portionless artist’s daughter, and so far he cordially approved of it, nor cared to question by what means this new friend made himself agreeable.  She had no argument available except that of expense, and, to her astonishment and dismay, this failed to affect her prudent spouse.