ABSTRACT
To the settlement of accounts they sat down in due form; and it so happened, that though this dear good old soul had not the best memory in the world, yet he had an obstinate recollection of every word Mrs Beaumont had said about her son’s having no debts or embarrassments. And great and unmanageable was his astonishment, when the truth came to light. ‘It is not,’ said he, turning to Mr Beaumont, ‘that I am astonished at your having debts; I am sorry for that, to be sure; but young men are often a little extravagant or so, and I dare say — particularly as you are so candid and make no excuses about it — I dare say you will be more prudent in future, and give up the racehorses, as you promise. But — why did not madam Beaumont tell me the truth? Why make a mystery, when I wanted nothing but to serve my friends? It was not using me well — it was not using yourself well. Madam, madam, I am vexed to the heart, and would not for a thousand pounds — ay, fool as I am, not for ten thousand pounds, this had happened to me from my good friend the colonel’s widow — a man that would as soon have cut his hand off. Oh, madam! madam Beaumont! you have struck me a hard blow at my time of life. Any thing but this I could have borne; / but to have one’s confidence and old friendships shaken at my time of life!’
