Young Charles Edward, on the other hand, inherited no fortune worth speaking of. His father had squandered his means in dissipation; and dying, left a paltry five thousand pounds, upon the interest of which the son, until 1880, lived in chambers in the Inner Temple. Up to that time he had no direct communication with his magnificent aunt, who, after purchasing Balquhalloch, had quarrelled with his father. In the spring of the year, however, Charles Edward happened to be breakfasting with his friend Tom Checkstone, who called his attention to the following advertisement in the Morning Post:
‘A Personage of rank requires the services of a private secretary. Applicant must be energetic, well educated, of good address, and willing to spend the greater part of his time in the country.—Send full particulars to the Steward of the Household, Balquhalloch, N.B.’
‘Balquhalloch is your aunt’s place; is it not? I wonder who has taken it?’ asked Tom.
‘No one has taken it. My aunt always lives there; and, what is more, she is the Personage of rank.’
‘Your aunt! Have they been making her a peeress, then?’ demanded Tom incredulously.
‘She’s a little weak in her head, you know, on the subject of our supposed royal descent,’ returned Charles Edward; ‘and she insists upon regarding herself as a princess.’
‘And if she is a princess, what are you, Charlie?’
‘Oh, I don’t know. I haven’t troubled myself to go deeply into the matter; but I suppose that in her estimation I am the legitimate king of England, or rather, of Great Britain. My grandfather claimed to be the representative of the House of Stuart; so, of course, as the only son of his only son, I inherit that great but somewhat barren honour.’
‘Well, I have made up my mind to write to your eccentric aunt’s Steward of the Household,’ said Tom. ‘I have little to do, and, what is far more serious, little to live upon; and if the Princess will give me five hundred a year, Her Royal Highness shall have my services.—Is she rich?’
‘O yes. I believe that she has a good twenty thousand a year, if not more.’