HIS CHARACTER 23 



At all events, if rumour be believed, one of these fair 

 creatures was in the days of her affluence a fortunate 

 acquisition to the gallant money-lender's list of clients. 

 For she left in his hands the sum of 10,000 for safe 

 keeping at the usual rate of interest, 10 per cent., 

 which undoubtedly would be well taken care of till 

 wanted, and made to bring forth increase in the interval. 

 Moving in all grades of society, Mr. Padwick never 

 seemed out of his sphere. In the company of either 

 sex he was always welcome, for he was irresistibly 

 suasive and plausible. He was witty and clever, al- 

 though, no doubt, he often found himself with others 

 who knew more than himself. He was, however, im- 

 patient under defeat, and, accustomed to deal with the 

 suspicious, became suspicious himself. I do not know 

 whether the failing was inherent in his character ; but 

 it was one that he cherished to the end, leading him 

 unfortunately into both loss and trouble. Necessarily, 

 in his calling he was no stranger to litigation. Yet 

 he must have always been well advised to work behind 

 the scenes, for I do not remember his appearance in 

 the witness-box, where many of his craft are too often 

 seen to their disgrace. He did not believe in the adage, 

 * Neither a borrower nor a lender be,' for he was both. 

 Indeed, to borrow with one hand and lend with the 

 other to his own advantage was the one object of his 

 life, to which all other motives were made secondary. 

 I do not profess to be able to describe exactly his modus 

 operandi ; but I should think the following would repre- 

 sent what he would consider a good transaction, and one 

 dear to his heart. The advance of a few thousands at 

 the outset would soon be doubled and trebled by ac- 

 cumulated interest and expenses into a formidable sum. 

 To this would be added a few racehorses at his own 



