So that he smiled at this sudden “change in the wind,” as he called it, and despised these sycophantic leeches with an honest indignation well-nigh amounting to loathing.
He seemed in no hurry to enter into business.
As the times were even yet unsettled from the recent financial panic, he contented himself, therefore, with looking out for some favorable opening for investing his capital to the best advantage.
And, instead of accepting any of the numberless invitations to balls and parties of which his wife was in constant receipt, the fond young couple contented themselves with boat excursions on the river, or frequent evening visits to good old Dame Worthington, with whom, and the stately Mistress Haylark, they passed many happy hours, and never seemed weary of their company.
Dame Worthington, in truth, was fast failing in health.
Yet, despite all her infirmities, she bustled about as busily and loquacious as of yore.
Nor did the mother-in-law lose an iota of that stateliness and solemnity of behaviour which was supposed to be hereditary with “the Haylarks,” and upon which, next to her reputation for “firmness,” she greatly prided herself.
In truth, Clara’s marriage only seemed to expand the mother’s importance.
She patronised flaming colours and the “latest styles” more recklessly than ever.
And in her frequent visits to Clara’s house, she was the terror of the servants, from the amount of fuss and bother of which she was always the occasion.