"Has she had any visitors since I went out?" asked Topsparkle.
"Only Mr. Durnford. He came at dusk and stayed about half an hour."
"About half an hour!" echoed his master testily. "You have a watch, sir, and might have timed the gentleman accurately."
Topsparkle had his wig recombed and his complexion revived before he went on to Golden Square, and appeared there as white as Lord Hervey, and radiant with smiles.
"How our City Crœsus grins!" exclaimed Pulteney to a friend, "and what a death's-head grin it is!
'Quin et Ixion Tityosque vultu
Risit invito—'
One could imagine a shade in Tartarus with just such a ghastly smile. And how lovely his young wife looks to-night, lovely enough to keep that poor old atomy in perpetual torment!"