In which Mrs. Clive Newcome’s Carriage is ordered

All the friends of the Newcome family, of course, knew the disaster which had befallen the good Colonel, and I was aware, for my own part, that not only his own, but almost the whole of Rosa Newcome’s property was involved in the common ruin. Some proposals of temporary relief were made to our friends from more quarters than one, but were thankfully rejected — and we were led to hope that the Colonel, having still his pension secured to him, which the law could not touch, might live comfortably enough the retirement² to which, of course, he would betake himself, when the melancholy³ proceedings⁴ consequent on the bankruptcy⁵ were brought to an end. It was shown that he had been egregiously⁶ duped in the transaction — that his credulity had cost him and his family a large fortune — that he had given up every penny which belonged to him — that there could not be any sort of stain upon his honest reputation. The judge before whom he appeared spoke⁷ with feeling and regard of the unhappy gentleman — the lawyer who examined him respected the grief and fall of that simple old man. Thomas Newcome took a little room near the court where his affairs and the affairs of the company were adjudged — lived with a frugality⁸ which never was difficult to him — And once when perchance I met him in the City, avoided me, with a bow and courtesy that was quite humble⁹, though proud and somehow inexpressibly touching¹⁰ to me. Fred Bayham was the only person whom he admitted. Fred always faithfully insisted upon attending him in and out of court. J. J. came to me immediately after he heard of the disaster, eager to place all his

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