So that although he frequented card rooms and the like, little altered from his former style of dress and manner, his “whereabouts” were a mystery to all.
Nor could the most urgent importunities make him disclose his lodgings.
How he maintained himself no one was bold enough to inquire.
He was frequently seen in the company of rich young men desirous of seeing and being initiated into the mysteries of the town.
Many said, or rather whispered, that Phillip was nothing better than a card “sharper” and general blackleg.
These, of course, were only very distant rumours.
None were bold enough to publicly retail such reports for fear of Phillip’s ungovernable anger, and his frequent allusions to the number of men he had “stabbed” or shot in his brief career upon the town.
Certain it is, Mr. Redgill was more frequently seen handling cards than his prayer book, and a thousand times to one oftener seen in the bear gardens than in church, and, as officers will occasionally talk, Redgill was styled in general terms as “a man about town” “who knew a thing or two,” and “could generally in the season average £20 per night” at cards.
Whatever his “averages” might be, it is in point blank evidence that he gave his wife but little—nay, very little.
What with general neglect, harsh words, frequent blows, and general ruffianism, poor Fanny led but an unamiable life, and frequently begged for death as a release from her sufferings.