“I saw a ball dress of hers myself, at Madame Fanchone's, that was to cost three thousand francs!”
“Three thousand francs! How am I to bear it all?” exclaimed Dalton, fiercely. “Will any man tell me how an Irish gentleman, with an embarrassed estate, and in the present times, can meet such extravagance as that? Three thousand francs! and, maybe, for a flimsy rag that wouldn't stand a shower of rain! Oh, Fogles, you don't know the man that 's sitting before you, hale and stout and hearty as he looks, the trials he has gone through, and the troubles he has faced, just for his children. Denying himself every enjoyment in life!” (here he sipped his glass), “giving up every little comfort he was used to!” (another sip), “all for his family! Look at my coat; feel the wool of it. See my breeches; 'tis like the hide of a bear they are. Take notice of my shoes; and there's my purse, with two florins and eight kreutzers in it; and, may I never see glory, if I don't owe a little bill in every shop that will trust me! And for what? answer me that, for what?”
Although the savage energy with which this question was put would have extorted an answer from the least willing witness, Foglass was unable to reply, and only stared in mute astonishment.
“I'll tell you for what, Fogles,” resumed Dalton, with a stroke of his clenched fist on the table, “I'll tell you for what! To have a son in the Hussars, and a daughter in all the height of fashion and fine life! That 's it, Fogles. My boy keeping company with all the first people in Austria, hand and glove with what 's his name? something like 'Misty,' or 'Hazy' I forget it now dining, driving, and shooting with them. And my girl, Kate. But sure you know better than myself what style she 's keeping! That 's the reason I 'm what you see me here, pining away in solitude and small means! All for my children's sake!”
“It is highly meritorious. It does you honor, Dalton,” said the other, emphatically.
“Well, I hope it does,” said he, with a sigh. “But how few know it, after all!”
“And has this same Sir Stafford never taken any steps towards recompensing you? Has there been nothing like an amende for the great losses you 've sustained?”
“Oh, indeed, to do him justice, he made me a kind of an offer once; but you see it was hampered with so many conditions and restrictions, and the like, that I rejected it with contempt. 'No!' says I, ''t is n't poverty will ever make me demean the old family! The Daltons won't suffer disgrace from me!'”
“He could have assisted you without such an alternative, Dalton.”
“Maybe he could, indeed!” sighed the other.