22 MR. HENRY PAD WICK 



her own signet, which latter, in the hurry, she had left 

 at home. It would therefore be impossible to see them ; 

 but as the casket contained valuables to the extent of 

 something like 50,000, her word might be taken that it 

 was ample security for a loan of 5,000 ; and as it was 

 viewed in the same genero.us light by Mr. Padwick, he 

 advanced the trifle. Time wore on, and the money was 

 not forthcoming as expected. Wanting it for other 

 purposes, the lender grew impatient at the numberless 

 trivial excuses made, and ultimately resolved to ascer- 

 tain, if possible, the nature of the contents of the box. 

 Mr. Padwick skilfully contrived to have just a peep, and, 

 horror-stricken, saw enough to convince him that instead 

 of jewellery, it contained nothing but small brickbats. 

 But here his self-possession was equal to the occasion, 

 for, carefully refastening the box, he adroitly managed to 

 get repaid, by holding out the alluring bait, ' that at any 

 other time her Grace could always have double the sum 

 on giving a few days' notice.' I need not say that when 

 the money ^uas paid over, he gave up the so-called 

 security with marvellous alacrity. 



Report credited Padwick with having had yet another 

 fair client of prepossessing appearance, and manners 

 most irresistible. Nellie Holmes was a well-known 

 character, who by her condescending behaviour not only 

 gathered riches together, but contrived to raise herself 

 from obscurity to the Peerage, and became in Eotten 

 Eow for many seasons the observed of all gentlemen 

 observers. Like other fair, frail ones, she died in 

 poverty ; and her experience of this life was probably 

 much the same as that of most of her compeers, one 

 of utter barrenness in the effort and result 



* To beguile many, and be beguiled by one.' 



