26 MR. HENRY PAD WICK. 



and fearing the consequences, left his native land and 

 reached the shores of France — in safety, as he fondly 

 supposed. But guess his astonishment to find 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 dealings with a 

 sharp practitioner ; and what money-lender does not 

 fall within the category ? Nevertheless, as what 

 follows will tell us, Mr. Padwick, with all his smart- 

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



I should preface what I am about to relate by 

 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 hand- 

 some and bewitching 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 im- 

 portant affair. The lady was possessed of considerable 

 personal attractions, aided by most charming manners, 

 and also had the assistance, in her design, of the 

 possession of property apart from her husband. It is 



