We even gave dinner-parties in state, and what Richardson and I
underwent from Eustace in preparation, no tongue can tell, nor
Eustace's complacence in handing down Lady Diana!
The embargo on intercourse with Arked House was over before Viola was
taken to London to be introduced. Eustace wanted much to follow
them, be at the levee, and spend the season in town. Had he not been
presented at Government House, and was it not due to the Queen? Dora
more practically offered to follow the example of the Siberian exile,
and lay a petition for Prometesky's release at her Majesty's feet,
but Harold uttered his ponderous "No" alike to both, proving, in his
capacity as agent, that Eustace had nothing like the amount this year
which could enable him to spend two or three months even as a single
man in London society. The requisite amount, which he had
ascertained, was startling, even had Eustace been likely to be
frugal; nor could this year's income justify it, in spite of Boola
Boola. The expense of coming into the estate, together with all the
repairs and improvements, had been such that the Australian property
had been needed to supplement the new. Eustace was very angry and
disappointed, and grumbled vehemently. It was all Harry's fault for
making him spend hundreds on his own maggots, that nobody wanted and
nobody cared about, and would be the ruin of him.
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