The Way We Live Now

st been made, Felix had gone on from bad to worse, till his condition had become one of hopeless embarrassment. If her daughter could but be settled in the

ealed to Roger Carbury for advice,-which, however, she never followed. He recommended her to give up her house in town, to find a home for her daughter elsewhere, and also for Felix if he would consent to follow her. Should he not so co

s conquer all his troubles by means of his own personal beauty,-then she would be proud of all that had passed. With such a condition of mind Roger Carbury could have no sympathy. To him it seemed that a gentleman was disgraced who owed money to a tradesman which he could not pay. And Lady Carbury's heart was high with other hopes,-in spite of her hysterics and her fears. The "Criminal Queens" might be a great literary success. She almost thought that it would be a success. Messrs. Leadham and Loiter, the publishers, were civil to her. Mr. Broune had promised. Mr. Booker had said that he would see what could be done. She had gathered from Mr. Alf's caustic and cautious words that the book would be noticed in the "Evening Pulpit." No;-she would not take dear Roger's adv

ht,-of taking some steps by which at any rate the young man's present expenses might be brought to an end. It was horrible to him that a man who had not a shilling in the world or any prospect of a shilling, who had nothing and nev

the Baron" meant that the young man was hunting wit

Whose horses does he r

me, Roger. What can

ave anything to do with him whi

own

end of it? Is he to be allowed to rui

t have me th

ishonest,-so ungentlemanlike! I don't understand how it goes on

had a

ices by giving him money." This was very plain speaking, and Lady Carbury winced under it. "The kind of life that he is leading

e so di

s not so young that he should not begin to compr

which she had begun to entertain during the

lose money,-not to

omebody wins

who lose are the dupes. I would soo

you are

How would he pay,

he has had money at his command. Indeed I have seen it. He comes home at all manner of hours and sleeps late. Yester

you not t

rob my

pay your own bills, and that he has not hesitated to take yo

he has it. And there were papers th

oked at

s feel about one's own son. I think he has bought another horse.

ar;-oh

Felix would do nothing unfair. Nobody ever said that of him. If he has won money, it would be a great comfort if he would l

he chose to remain in London, let him do so on his own resources. The young man should make up his mind to do something for himself. A career might possibly be opened for him in India. "If he be a man he would sooner break stones than live on you," said Roger. Yes, he would see his cousin to-morrow and speak to him;-that is if he could possibly find him. "Young men who gamble all night, and hunt all day are not easily found." But he would c

not? She is at h

I should like her to know that I am coming. Paul Mont

-he c

all you sa

ix got a card for him;-and we were

s another case of a young man without anything to do. Not that Paul is at all like Sir Fel

y. Roger, as he took his leave, thought that it would

with incredible weakness told him that his cousin Roger was coming to lecture

n that way, Felix, I

just as if it were said. It's all very well preaching sermons to good

ldn't you

but he had resolved that he would get out of the house before that horrible bore should be upon him with his sermon. To do this he must be energetic. He was actually eating his breakfast at half-past eleven, and had already contrived in his mind how he would turn the wrong way as soon as he got into the street,-towards Marylebone Road, by which route Roger would certainly not come. He left the house at ten minutes before twelve, cunningly t

gement out here with a fellow which I must keep

ten minutes," said Roge

nveniently at

e his cousin off violently, and to go his way. But as he returned he fortified himself with the remembrance of all the money in his pocket,-for he still had his winnings,-remembered too certain sweet words which had passed between him and Marie Melmotte since th

" said Roger, "that yo

nters. I have one that I didn't

e only o

exact, I have a hack as w

er up here

ast there is one staying at some stables

for all th

hall not ask you

her, though you should force her to come to me or to other friends for assistan

ue. I have mon

did you

ave money. If I buy a horse I can pay for it. If I keep one or two I can pay for them. Of course I owe

ing from your mother, and when you

twenty pounds, i

eal more than that. I supp

uestions, and I won't do it. If you have nothi

t." Felix had walked towards the door, but Roger w

e kept here against

well sit still. Do you wish to be looke

-go

and because your mother is affectionate and weak, you are now spendin

hem to pay any

you borrow

-book. "When I asked her for it, I did not think she would make such a row about such a trifl

's the

to E

ur mother should keep you and clot

it has ever been done before. The truth is, Roger, you know nothing abou

did worse, or one who had less moral

from you. People can't all think alike,

ishly weak, would make up her mind to divide herself utterly from her son, at any rate for a while, and to leave him to suffer utter penury. That would bring him round. And then when the agony of want had tamed him, he would be content to take bread and meat from her hand and would be humble. At present

ed behind her son, she seemed to think that a great success had been achieved because

ring it to you of

o talk about it. Has he said

t by gambling. How else should he have it? And you may take it for granted also that he will lose all

e;-dea

any me

e cards that it should be so. Y

windler who has come over here, and

visits them

him,-except that he left Paris with the reputation

elix is handsome; isn't he? What young man is there nearly

his game

think he

ardly agree with each other about that.