The Women of Nell Gwynne's (15 page)

Ali Pasha and Prince Nakhimov returned alive to their respective nations, wiser men. Sir George Spiggott returned to his vast estate in Northumberland, where he took to drink and made, in time, a bad end.

When Lord Basmond's solicitors looked through his papers and discovered the extent of his debts, they shook their heads sadly. The staff was paid off and dismissed; every stick of furniture was auctioned in an attempt to satisfy the creditors, and when even this proved inadequate, Basmond Park itself was forfeit. Here complications ensued, with the two most importunate creditors wrangling over whose claim took precedence. In the end the case was tied up in chancery for thirty years.

EIGHTEEN:

In which it is Summed Up

I
SAY, L-ADIES! HERBERTINH tilted her chair back and rested her feet on the fender. "Here's a bit of news; Basmond Hall has collapsed."

"How awfully sad," said Jane, looking up from the pianoforte.

"Indeed," said Miss Otley. "It was an historic site of great interest."

"It says here it fell in owing to the collapse of several hitherto unsuspected mine shafts beneath the property," said Herbertina.

"I don't doubt it," remarked Mrs. Corvey, with a shudder. "I'm surprised the place didn't fall down with us in it."

"And soon, no doubt, shall be a moldering and moss-grown mound haunted by the spectres of unquiet Rawdons," said Lady Beatrice, snipping a thread of scarlet embroidery floss. "Speaking of whom, has there been any word of poor dear Jumbey?"

"Not officially," said Mrs. Corvey. "There wouldn't be, would there? But Mr. Felmouth has intimated that the present Lord Basmond is developing a number of useful items for Fabrication."

"Happily, I trust?"

"As long as he gets his candy floss regular, yes."

"Jolly good!" Maude played a few experimental notes on her concertina. "Who's for a song? Shall we have 'Begone, Dull Care', ladies?"