When it began to be noised abroad that the newly-married couple were well circumstanced in life, and backed by influential moneyed interests, public opinion began to grow very rapidly favourable in regard to Mr. Charley Warbeck.
So that, when he occasionally promenaded with his pretty, curly-headed bride, there were not a few of his former acquaintance who very suddenly recollected his existence and former footing, and did not fail, indeed, to recognise him in fashionable thoroughfares and places of public business.
Many, both young and old, who but a few months before had passed him in the streets, without a word or look of recognition, now bravely advanced to meet him with—
“Ah, Charley, my boy, how do you do? Allow me to congratulate you.” Or,
“Hullo, Charley! how are you?”
Many merchants and very respectable men of trade were not backward in offering him shares in their business.
Tradesmen’s cards poured in upon him by the hundred.
And he suddenly found himself surrounded by many who literally bored him with their civilities, and proffered to grant him any favour he desired, even to credit, as they said, “for any amount.”
The lesson he had received was not lost upon him.
It had given him a greater insight into human nature than he had ever before possessed.