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and ears in debt. He was a backer of the ring ruffians; a great man at cock and dog fights; a racer; in short-a blackguard of the first water. During the recess, he had come up to town, and taken up his quarters, not at his father's house, but at one of the distant hotelswhere he might pursue his profligate courses without fear of interruption. He had repeatedly bullied his mother out of large sums of money to supply his infamous extravagancies; and at length became so insolent and exorbitant in his demands, that they quarrelled. One evening, about nine o'clock, Mrs and Miss Dudleigh happened to be sitting in the drawingroom, alone-and the latter was pale with the agitation consequent on some recent quarrel with her mother; for the poor girl had been passionately reproaching her mother for her increasing attachment to liquor, under the influence of which she evidently was at that moment. Suddenly a voice was heard in the hall, and on the stairs, singing, or rather bawling, snatches of some comic song or other; the drawing room door was presently pushed open, and young Dudleigh, more than half intoxicated, made his appearance, in a slovenly evening dress.

"Madame ma mère-!" said he, staggering towards the sofa where his mother and sister were sitting"I-I must be supplied-I must, mother!"-he hiccuped, stretching towards her his right hand, and tapping the palm of it significantly with his left fingers.

"Pho-nonsense!-off to-to bed, young scape-grace!" replied his mother, drowsily-for the stupor of wine lay heavily on her.

""Tis useless, madam-quite, I assure you!-money-money-money I must and will have !" said her son, striving to steady himself against a chair.

"Why, Harry, dear!-where's the fifty pounds I gave you a cheque for only a day or two ago?"

"Gone! gone! the way of all money, madam-as you know pretty well!-I-I must have L.300 by to

morrow"

"Three hundred pounds, Henry!" exclaimed his mother, angrily.

"Yes, ma'am! Sir Charles won't be put off any longer, he says. Has

my-my-word-' good as my bond' -as the old governor says!-Mother," he continued in a louder tone, flinging his hat violently on the floor-"I must and WILL have money!"

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Henry-it's disgraceful-infamous-most infamous!" exclaimed Miss Dudleigh, with a shocked air; and raising her handkerchief to her eyes, she rose from the sofa, and walked hurriedly to the opposite end of the room, and sat down in tears. Poor girl! what a mother! what a brother!-the young man took the place she had occupied by her mother's side, and in a wheedling coaxing way, threw his arm round Mrs Dudleigh, hiccuping-"mothergive me a cheque! do, please!-'tis the last time I'll ask you-for a twelvemonth to come!-and I owe L.500 that must be paid in a day or two!"

"How can I, Harry?-dear Harry don't be unreasonable! recollect I'm a kind mother to you," kissing him, "and don't distress me, for I owe three or four times as much myself, and cannot pay it."

"Eh! - eh!-cannot pay it?stuff, ma'am !-why-is the bank run dry?"-he continued, with an apprehensive stare.

"Yes, love-long ago!"-replied his mother, with a sigh.

"Whoo-whoo!"--he exclaimed; and rising, he walked, or rather staggered a few steps to and fro, as if attempting to collect his faculties—and think!

"Ah-ha, ha!-eureka, ma'am!" he exclaimed suddenly after a pause, snapping his fingers-"I've got itI have-the PLATE, mother, the plate!-hem! raising the wind-you understand me !"

"Oh! shocking, shocking!"-sobbed Miss Dudleigh, hurrying towards them, wringing her hands bitterly"oh mother! oh Henry, Henry! would you ruin my poor father, and break his heart ?"

"Ah, the plate, mother!-the plate!"-he continued, addressing his mother-then turning to his sister-" away, you little puss-puss! -what do you understand about business, eh ?"—and he attempted to kiss her- but she thrust him away with indignation and horror in her gestures.

"Come, mother!-will it do!-a lucky thought! the plate!-Mris a rare hand at this kind of thing! -a thousand or two would set you and me to rights in a twinkling!come, what say you ?"

"Impossible, Harry!"- replied his mother, turning pale,-"'tis quite -'tis-'tis-out of the question!" "Pho! no such thing!-It must be done! why cannot it, ma'am?" enquired the young man earnestly. "Why, because-if you must know, sirrah! because it is ALREADY pawned!"-replied his mother, in a loud voice, shaking her hand at him with passion. Their attention was attracted at that moment towards the door, which had been standing a-jar -for there was the sound of some one suddenly fallen down. After an instant's pause, they all three walked to the door, and stood gazing horrorstruck at the prostrate figure of Mr DUDLEIGH!

He had been standing unperceived in the door-way-having entered the house only a moment or two after his son-during the whole of the disgraceful scene just described, almost petrified with grief, amazement, and horror-till he could bear it no longer, and fell down in an apoplectic fit. He had but that evening returned from abroad, exhausted with physical fatigue, and dispirited in mindfor while abroad, he had made a most disastrous move in the foreign funds, by which he lost upwards of sixty or seventy thousand pounds; and his negotiation scheme also turned out very unfortunately, and left him minus nearly as much more. He had hurried home, half dead with vexation and anxiety, to make instant arrangements for meeting the most pressing of his pecuniary engagements in England, apprehensive, from the gloomy tenor of his agent's letters to him while abroad, that his affairs were falling into confusion. Oh! what a heart-breaking scene had he to encounter-instead of the comforts and welcome of home!

This incident brought me again into contact with this devoted family; for I was summoned by the distracted daughter to her father's bedside, which I found surrounded by his wife and children. The shock of his presence had completely sobered both mother and son, who hung horror

stricken over him, on each side of the bed, endeavouring in vain to recall him to sensibility. I had scarce entered the room, before Mrs Dudleigh was carried away swooning in the arms of a servant. Mr Dudleigh was in a fit of apoplexy. He lay in a state of profound stupor, breathing stentoriously-more like snorting. I had him raised into nearly an upright position, and immediately bled him largely from the jugular vein. While the blood was flowing, my attention was arrested by the appearance of young Dudleigh; who was kneeling down by the bedside, his hands clasped convulsively together, and his swollen blood-shot eyes fixed on his father. "Father! father! father!" were the only words he uttered, and these fell quivering from his lips unconsciously.-Miss Dudleigh, who had stood leaning against the bedpost in stupified silence, and pale as a statue, was at length too faint to continue any longer in an upright posture, and was led out of the room.

Here was misery! Here was remorse!

I continued with my patient more than an hour, and was gratified at finding that there was every appearance of the attack proving a mild and manageable one. I prescribed suitable remedies, and left,-enjoining young Dudleigh not to quit his father for a moment, but to watch every breath he drew. He hardly seemed to hear me, and gazed in my face vacantly while I addressed him. I shook him gently, and repeated my injunctions; but all he could reply was-"Oh-doctor-we have killed

him!"

Before leaving the house, I repaired to the chamber where Mrs Dudleigh lay, just recovering from strong hysterics. I was filled with astonishment, on reflecting upon the whole scene of that evening; and, in particular, on. the appearance and remorseful ́expressions of young Dudleigh. What could have happened ?-A day or two afterwards, Miss Dudleigh, with shame and reluctance, communicated to me the chief facts above stated! Her own health and spirits were manifestly suffering from the distressing scenes she had to endure. She told me, with energy, that she could sink into the earth, on reflect,

ing that she was the daughter of such a mother, the sister of such a brother! [The Diary passes hastily over a fortnight,-saying merely that Mr Dudleigh recovered more rapidly than could have been expected-and proceeds-]

Monday, June, 18-. While I was sitting beside poor Mr Dudleigh, this afternoon, feeling his pulse, and putting questions to him, which he was able to answer with tolerable distinctness, Miss Dudleigh came and whispered that her mother, who, though she had seen her husband frequently, had not spoken to him, or been recognised by him since his illness-was anxious then to come in, as she heard that he was perfectly sensible. I asked him if he had any objection to see her; and he replied, with a sigh,-"No. Let her come in, and see what she has brought me to!" In a few minutes' time she was in the room. I observed Mr Dudleigh's eyes directed anxiously to the door before she entered; and the instant he saw her pallid features, and the languid exhausted air with which she advanced towards the bed, he lifted up his shaking hands, and beckoned towards her. His eyes filled with tears, to overflowing-and he attempted to speak -but in vain. She tottered to his side, and fell down on her knees; while he clasped her hands in his, kissed her affectionately, and both of them wept like children; as did young Dudleigh and his sister. That was the hour of full forgiveness and reconciliation! It was indeed a touching scene. There lay the deeply injured father and husband, his grey hair grown long, during his absence on the continent, and his illness, combed back from his temples; his pale and fallen features exhibiting deep traces of the anguish he had borne. He gave one hand to his son and daughter, while the other continued grasped by Mrs Dudleigh.

"Oh, dear, dear husband!-Can you forgive us, who have so nearly broken your heart?"-she sobbed, kissing his forehead. He strove to reply, but burst into tears without being able to utter a word. Fearful that the prolonged excitement of such an interview might prove injurious, I gave Mrs Dudleigh a hint to with

draw-and left the room with her. She had scarcely descended the staircase, when she suddenly seized my arm, stared me full in the face, and burst into a fit of loud and wild laughter. I carried her into the first room I could find, and gave her all the assistance in my power. It was long, however, before she recovered. She continually exclaimed-" Oh, what a wretch I've been! What a vile wretch I've been !-and he so kind and forgiving, too!"

As soon as Mr Dudleigh was sufficiently recovered to leave his bedroom-contrary to my vehemently expressed opinion-he entered at once on the active management of his affairs. It is easy to conceive how business of such an extensive and complicated character as his, must have suffered from so long an intermission of his personal superintendence-especially at such a critical conjuncture. Though his head-clerk was an able and faithful man, he was not at all equal to the overwhelming task which devolved upon him; and when Mr Dudleigh, the first day of his coming down stairs, sent for him, in order to learn the general aspect of his affairs, he wrung his hands despairingly, to find the lamentable confusion into which they had fallen. The first step to be taken, was the discovery of funds wherewith to meet some heavy demands which had been for some time clamorously asserted. What, however, was to be done? His unfortunate speculations in the foreign funds had made sad havoc of his floating capital, and further fluctuations in the English funds during his illness had added to his losses. As far as ready money went, therefore, he was comparatively penniless. All his resources were so locked up, as to be promptly available only at ruinous sacrifices; and yet he must procure many thousands within a few days-or he trembled to contemplate the consequences.

"Call in the money I advanced on mortgage of my Lord -'s property," said he.

"We shall lose a third, sir, of what we advanced, if we do," replied the clerk.

"Can't help it, sir-must have money-and that instantly-call it in, sir." The clerk, with a sigh, entered his orders accordingly.

"Ah-let me see. Sell all my shares in."

"Allow me to suggest, sir, that if you will but wait two months-or even six weeks longer, they will be worth twenty times what you gave for them; whereas if you part with them at present, it must be at a heavy discount."

he had been latterly unfortunate, and was growing old, and indisposed to prolong the doubtful cares of moneymaking-he had determined to draw his affairs into as narrow a compass as possible, with a view to withdrawing altogether from active life, on a handsome independence. Every one commended his prudence in so acting-in "letting well alone." "Easy come, easy go," is an old saw, but signally characteristic of rapidly acquired commercial fortunes; and by these, and similar prudential considerations, did they consider Mr Dudleigh to be actuated. This latter supposition was strengthened by observing the other parts of his conduct. His domestic arrangements indicated a spirit of rigorous retrenchment. His house near Richmond was advertised for sale, and bought " out and out" by a man who had grown rich in Mr Dudleigh's service. Mrs Dudleigh gave, received, and accepted fewer and fewer invitations; was less seen at public places; and drove only one plain chariot. Young Dudleigh's allowance at Oxford was curtailed, and narrowed down to L.300 a-year ; and he was forbidden to go abroad, that he might stay at home to prepare for-orders! There was nothing questionable, or alarming in all this, even to the most forward quidnuncs of the city. The world that had blazoned and lauded his-or rather his family's extravagance, now mended his judicious economy. As for himself personally, he had resumed his pristine clock-work punctuality of movements; and the only difference to be perceived in his behaviour, was an air of unceasing thoughtfulness and reserve. was accounted for, by the rumoured unhappiness he endured in his family-for which Mrs Dudleigh was given ample credit. And then his favourite-his idolized child-Miss Dudleigh-was exhibiting alarming symptoms of ill health. She was notoriously neglected by her young and noble suitor, who continued abroad much longer than the period he had himself fixed on. She was of too delicate and sensitive a character, to bear with indifference the impertinent and cruel speculations which this occa sioned in "society." When I looked at her-her beauty, her amiable and they came to the conclusion, that as fascinating manners-her high ac

"Must have money, sir!-must! -write it down too," replied Mr Dudleigh, sternly. In this manner he "ticketed out his property for ruin," as his clerk said-throughout the interview. His demeanour and spirit were altogether changed; the first was become stern and imperative, the latter rash and inconsiderate to a degree which none would credit who had known his former mode of conducting business. All the prudence and energy which had secured him such splendid results, seemed now lost, irrecoverably lost. Whether or not this change was to be accounted for by mental imbecility consequent on his recent apoplectic seizure -or the disgust he felt at toiling in the accumulation of wealth which had been and might yet be so profligately squandered, I know not; but his conduct now consisted of alternations between the extremes of rashness and timorous indecision. He would waver and hesitate about the outlay of hundreds, when every one else even those most proverbially prudent and sober, would venture their thousands with an almost absolute certainty of tenfold profits; -and again would fling away thousands into the very yawning jaws of villainy. He would not tolerate remonstrance or expostulation; and when any one ventured to hint surprise or dissatisfaction at the conduct he was pursuing, he would say tartly "that he had reasons of his own for what he was doing." His brother merchants were for a length of time puzzled to account for his conduct. At first they gave him credit for playing some deep and desperate game, and trembled at his hardihood; but after waiting a while, and perceiving no

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complishments-and, in many conversations, perceived the superior feelings of her soul-it was with difficulty I brought myself to believe that she was the offspring of such a miserably inferior woman as her mother! To return, however, to Mr Dudleigh. He who has once experienced an attack of apoplexy, ought never to be entirely from under medical surveillance. I was in the habit of calling upon him once or twice aweek to ascertain how he was going on. I observed a great change in him. Though never distinguished by high animal spirits, he seemed now under the influence of a permanent and increasing melancholy. When I would put to him some such matterof-fact question as-" How goes world with you now, Mr Dudleigh?" he would reply with an air of lassitude-" Oh-as it ought! as it ought!" He ceased to speak of his mercantile transactions with spirit or energy; and it was only by a visible effort that he dragged himself into the city.

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When a man is once on the inclined plane of life-once fairly "going down hill," one push will do as much as fifty; and such an one poor Mr Dudleigh was not long in receiving. Rumours were already flying about, that his credit had no more substantial support than paper props; in other words, that he was obliged to resort to accommodation-bills to meet his engagements. When once such reports are current and accredited, I need hardly say that it is "all up" with a man, in the city. And ought it not to be so? I observed, a little while ago, that Mr Dudleigh, since his illness, conducted his affairs very differently from what he had formerly. He would freight his vessels with unmarketable cargoes-in spite of all the representations of his servants and friends; and when his advices confirmed the truth of their surmises, he would order the goods to be sold off-frequently at a fifth or eighth of their value. These, and many similar freaks, becoming generally known, soon alienated from him the confidence even of his oldest connexions; credit was given him reluctantly, and then only to a small extent and sometimes even point blank refused! He bore all this with apparent calmness, observing simply

that "times were altered!" Still he had a corps de reserve in his favourite investiture-mortgages: a species of security in which he had long had locked up some forty or fifty thousand pounds. Anxious to assign a mortgage for L.15,000, he had at last succeeded in finding an assignee on advantageous terms, whose solicitor, after carefully inspecting the deed, pronounced it so much waste paper, owing to some great technical flaw, or informality, which vitiated the whole! Poor Mr Dudleigh hurried with consternation to his attorney; who, after a long shew of incredulity, at last acknowledged the existence of the defect! Under his advice, Mr Dudleigh instantly wrote to the party whose property was mortgaged, frankly informing him of the circumstances, and appealing to his "honour and good feeling." He might as well have appealed to the winds! for he received a reply from the mortgager's attorney, stating simply, that his client was prepared to stand or fall by the deed, and so, of course, must the mortgager!" What finding, on further examination, that was Mr Dudleigh's further dismay at every mortgage transaction, except one for L.1500, which had been intrusted to the management of the same attorney, was equally, or even more invalid than the one above mentioned !-Two of the heaviest proved to be worthless, as second all the remainder were invalid, on mortgages of the same property, and account of divers defects and informalities. It turned out that Mr Dudleigh had been in the hands of a swindler, who had intentionally committed the draft error, and colluded with his principal, to outwit his unsuspecting client Mr Dudleigh, in the matter of the double mortgages! Mr tions against the first mortgager, to Dudleigh instantly commenced acin spite of the flaw in the mortgagerecover the money he had advanced deed, and against the attorney through verely. In the former, which of whose villainy he had suffered so secourse decided the fate of the remaining mortgages similarly situated ceeded-as far as the bare gaining of -he failed; in the latter, he suca verdict could be so considered; but the attorney, exasperated at being brought before the court and ex

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