He drew himself up to his full height, and flashed down upon his observant listener for a second, then relapsed into his old lounging attitude, and laughed musically.
“Why do you come here with your Arabian Nights’ kind of speeches and stir me up! Bah, it’s too hot for such mental exercise,” and he sank into a chair and folded his hands behind his head. “No, Churchill, I am in the desert, and there I shall stick.”
“Unless some friendly guide extends a helping hand and leads you out,” said the philanthropist. “I can quite understand your feelings, my dear Percy, and I must say they are very natural ones. You are, without flattery, formed by nature to adorn a higher sphere than your present one. I don’t think any of the young fellows you envy could do greater credit to their wealth and position than you could do. Seriously, I think you were cut out for better things than teaching the piano to the daughters of the inhabitants of Soho and its neighborhood.”
“No doubt. I was intended for the heldest son of a hearl,” said Percy, sarcastically, “but there happens to be a hitch somewhere.”
“And suppose I tell you that I can undo that hitch, that I can give you a helping hand to better and higher things; in short, to repeat myself, to make your fortune! Think of it, my dear Percy. Plenty of money, the entrance to good society, horses to ride, club doors thrown open to you, choice wines, men of rank for friends, and a world ready to welcome with outstretched hands good-looking and accomplished Mr. Percy Levant!”
The young fellow regarded him with the same incredulous smile, but there was a light of subdued eagerness in his eyes, and a warmer color in his face.
“You ought to go into the house, Churchill,” he said. “I don’t mean the workhouse, but the House of Commons. I suppose you learn all this kind of thing at your charitable public meetings? I’ll come and hear you some of these days; they tell me you make uncommonly good speeches. Well, go on. How is this fortune of mine to be made, and—excuse my bluntness—why are you so anxious to make it?”
“A very natural question, my dear Percy, and, believe me, I am not at all annoyed by it. I intend to be perfectly frank and open-minded with you——”
Percy Levant smiled, and got another cigar.
“I beg your pardon, Churchill, but the idea of your being frank rather tickled me. The spasm has passed, however; proceed. Is it a new gold mine you are going to ask me to become a director of? Or have you invented a new washing machine, and want me to travel for it? What is it?”