It was part of his philosophy that nothing should disturb the even tenor of his way, or interfere with his animal comforts.

He was at the present moment over head and ears in debt; he was playing a game which, in all human probability, would end in his ruin; the ground was sinking beneath his feet on every side; and yet he thoroughly enjoyed his dinner.

Alaric could not make such use of his philosophy.

Undy Scott might be the worse man of the two, but he was the better philosopher.
Not on the next day, or on the next, did Alaric hear from Mrs.
Val, but on the following Monday he got a note from her begging him to call in Ebury Street.

She underscored every line of it once or twice, and added, in a postscript, that he would, she was sure, at once acknowledge the NECESSITY of her request, as she wished to communicate with him on the subject of her DAUGHTER'S FORTUNE.
Alaric immediately sent an answer to her by a messenger.