He had made a little money, and had squandered most of it before he died, leaving the small remainder to his only son, who had spent every scudo of it in the first year.

But to make up for the exiguity of his financial resources, Ugo had from his youth obtained social success.

He had begun life by boldly calling himself "Il conte del Ferice." No one had ever thought it worth while to dispute him the title; and as he had hitherto not succeeded in conferring it upon any dowered damsel, the question of his countship was left unchallenged.

He had made many acquaintances in the college where he had been educated; for his father had paid for his schooling in the Collegio dei Nobili, and that in itself was a passport--for as the lad grew to the young man, he zealously cultivated the society of his old school-fellows, and by wisely avoiding all other company, acquired a right to be considered one of themselves.

He was very civil and obliging in his youth, and had in that way acquired a certain reputation for being indispensable, which had stood him in good stead.
No one asked whether he had paid his tailor's bill; or whether upon certain conditions, his tailor supplied him with raiment gratis.