The
Duke has been informed by Lord Gerald Palliser that Lord Percival
has won at cards from him the sum of three thousand four hundred
pounds. The Duke now encloses a cheque for that amount, and
requests that the document which Lord Percival holds from Lord
Silverbridge as security for that amount, may be returned to Lord
Gerald.'
Let the noble gambler have his prey. He was little solicitous
about that. If he could only operate on the mind of this son,--so
operate on the minds of both his sons, as to make them see the
foolishness of folly, the ugliness of what is mean, the squalor
and dirt of ignoble pursuits, then he could easily pardon past
faults. If it were half his wealth what would it signify if he
could teach his children to accept those lessons without which no
man can live as a gentleman, let his rank be the highest known,
let his wealth be as the sands, his fashion unrivalled?
The word or two which his daughter had said to him, declaring that
she still took pride in her lover's love, and then this new
misfortune on Gerald's part, upset him greatly.
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