CHAPTER II.

A MEETING.

It was a constant saying of old Mr Brammel, that if his time were to come over again, he would adopt a very different plan from that which he had pursued in the education of his son.  Now, a different plan it might have been; but one leading to a more satisfactory result, I must take the liberty to deny.  Of what use is experience to one who, with sixty years of life in him, still feels and thinks, reasons and acts, like a child?  Who but a child would have thought of paying the wholesale demands of that dissolute, incorrigible youth, with the notion of effecting by such subtle means his lasting reformation:  who but a child would have made the concealment of his name a condition of the act?  As may be guessed, the success of this scheme was equal to its wisdom.  Augustus Theodore, too grateful for the facilities afforded him, showed no disposition to abridge his pleasures, or to hasten his return.  In the regular and faithful discharge of his drafts, his vulgar soul rejoiced to detect a fear of offending, and an eagerness to conciliate, on the part of his partner, Michael Allcraft.  He would see and acknowledge nothing else.  And the idea once fixed in his mind, he was not likely to rest contented with half the glory of his victory.  “No.—­He would punish the fellow.—­He would make him smart; he would teach him to come all the way to France on purpose to bully him.  He hadn’t done with the gentleman yet.  Master Allcraft should cry loud enough before he had.  He’d sicken him.”  Still the hopeful youth pursued his travels—­still he transmitted his orders at sight—­still they were honoured punctually—­still Augustus Theodore chuckled with stupid delight over what he considered the pitiful submission of his partner, who had not courage to reject his drafts, and dared not utter now one brief expostulatory word.  Mr Brammel, junior, like the rest of the firm, lived in his own delusions.  The fourth year dawned, and Mr Brammel suddenly appeared amongst his friends.  He and his lady had travelled over Europe; they had seen the world—­the world had seen them; they were sick of wandering—­they desired to settle.  A noble villa, with parks and paddocks, was quickly taken and sumptuously furnished; hunters were got from Tattersall’s—­nursery-maids from France—­an establishment worthy of the name rose like magic, almost within sight of Michael’s humble dwelling, taking the neighbourhood by surprise, startling and affrighting Allcraft.  Again the latter visited the fond old man—­remonstrated, complained; and once more the father entreated on behalf of his son, begged for time and patience, and undertook to satisfy the prodigal’s extravagance.  He gave his money as before, willingly and eagerly, and stipulated only, with unmeaning earnestness, for secrecy and silence.  And the fourth year closed as drearily as it had opened.  The promises of Bellamy and Planner were as far from fulfilment as