Page:Blackwood's Magazine volume 137.djvu/776

770 him straight, and fair play was given to his talents and his ambition. For two or three generations the Winstanleys had been distinguished in public affairs, and they had the habit of intermarrying with the governing Whig families. Taking to politics or diplomacy like ducks to the water, it was only a question with the Hon. Wilfred as to the direction in which he should steer.

He might have sat for a borough which was in reality a close one, though the Winstanley influence was decently ignored. Or he might try his fortunes in diplomacy, with the absolute certainty that he would be taken care of. The young aristocrat hardly hesitated. He had gauged himself and knew that he was clever, but he was not very sure that he was profound. He did know that he detested drudgery, and he was doubtful whether he might shine as a speaker. He would as soon have committed suicide offhand, as condemned himself to committees and the study of blue-books; and making a slow reputation as a hard-working official, seemed a game that was far from being worth the candle. On the, other hand, diplomacy attracted him. He liked the idea of looking forward in the future to twisting sultans and kaisers and kings round his fingers. While in the meantime, with the strong interest he could command, he might serve his apprenticeship in pleasant places.

On the whole, he had had little reason to complain; and if he went through a good deal of disillusioning, he had the grace to acknowledge that the faults were his own. He was quick, but not industrious; he was adroit, but scarcely reliable. He began at Florence as attaché at the Court of the Grand Duke in the good old days, and there he made his reputation as a man who could shine in society, and who was an artistic connoisseur. He went in for society as matter of business, and for the fine arts in the way both of business and pleasure. He ran up bills, but he could afford to pay them; he entertained, because he liked entertaining, while other attachés ate at their master's tables, going out to dinners, and giving none in exchange. So he early made his mark as a brilliant young man, who might do the State good service were he promoted. And even then, his pleasures, and what apparently were his extravagances, proved profitable. He flirted freely with maids and matrons, saying little of importance, and picking up a good deal. He was the very man to be set to match some feminine diplomatist, who, being sent out to shear her dupes, never dreamed of going home shorn. The ingenuous youth had a way of looking into women's eyes, which at once disarmed them and drew them on. It could hardly be called deceit, it came so naturally to him. Then his art purchases were even more immediately lucrative than his social talents. He had grand passions for particular pictures. There was one Madonna by Correggio, which he bought at what appeared a fancy price, and fitted up in a fancy case, carrying it with him wherever he went. The passion being sated, he sold Our Lady afterwards for cent per cent on the original purchase-money. In fact, although he might be taken in now and then, as must be the fate of the very shrewdest in experience, he generally put out good money at usury, and could realise his investments in the aggregate at a handsome profit.

He married young and for love, which might appear to be inconsistent with his practical character; but, as it chanced, the lady