20 MR. HENRY PAD WICK 



asked, he need not have given it his interference was, 

 indeed, in strict keeping with his fondness for censuring 

 someone, and zeal for reforming turf abuses, or what he 

 considered such, without waiting for roof of any kind. 



Amongst Mr. Padwick's most gentlemanly and pleasant 

 visitors on business was Mr. Whieldon, of Wyke House, 

 Gillingham. Unlucky, as others have been, this gentle- 

 man failed to meet his engagements, and fearing the 

 consequences, left his native land and reached the shores 

 of France in safety, as he fondly supposed. But guess 

 his astonishment on finding that, on reaching the hoped- 

 for asylum, he was immediately taken into custody and 

 incarcerated in a French prison, little better than a 

 dungeon. It appeared that one of his creditors, Mr. 

 Padwick, had been equal to the occasion, and ostensibly 

 selling his debt to a Frenchman, secured the arrest of 

 the debtor. This was, however, no greater penalty than 

 anyone may look to be called upon to pay who has deal- 

 ings with a sharp practitioner ; and what money-lender 

 does not fall within the category? Nevertheless, as 

 what follows will tell us, Padwick, with all his smart- 

 ness, received, in turn, a Roland for his Oliver. 



I should preface what I am about to relate b} observing 

 that Mr. Padwick had one weakness. He was, in his 

 own opinion, a gallant of no ordinary type, the very 

 personification of chivalry, and handsome and bewitch- 

 ing as Cupid. Whether driven to the step by actual 

 need, or merely prompted by anger to revenge the 

 wretched treatment which her husband had received, 

 Mrs. Whieldon, fascinatingly dressed, called on Mr. 

 Padwick at his house in Hill Street, and besought his 

 aid in a very delicate and most important affair. The 

 lady was possessed of considerable personal attractions, 

 aided by most charming manners, and also had the 



