My clients don't care a doit where I live,
or how I spend my Sundays; and I'd rather have five pounds a week and my
liberty than the best family connection in the Fields."
The fate of that wretched man, who had dropped out of his old circle
and vanished no one knew whither, in no manner disturbed the peace of
George Sheldon.
"Take my word for it, that gentleman has fallen on his feet," he said, on
the only occasion when the fate of Philip was discussed by Valentine and
himself. "He's doing well enough, somewhere or other, you may depend; but
I don't think he'll ever be able to show his nose in London after those
bill transactions. There's a very strong feeling against him on Change.
He's looked upon as a discredit to the order, and that sort of thing, you
see. It isn't often a member of the House goes to the bad like that. No,
I don't think Phil will ever show himself in London again; but such a man
as that can always find a platform somewhere--"
"And go on to the end of his days unpunished, I suppose," remarked Mr.
Hawkehurst, with some bitterness.
"Well, yes; I don't see what's to touch him in the future. Of course he
could be dropped upon for those bills, if he came in the way of being
dropped upon; but, as I said before, he's too deep a card for that."
Thus did George Sheldon dismiss the subject. That his brother was an
exile for life from his native land he did not doubt; but he took it for
granted that in whatever distant spot of earth Philip had found a refuge,
he would there contrive to prosper and to show a bold front in the city
of his adoption.
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