Part 9 (2/2)

I am nephew to Sir Robert Brook, baronet, the present representative of the Brooks of Brookcotes, Dorsetshi+re--a fa from the fourteenth century Possibly you have heard the na's El's El the struggle with Napoleon, and their baronetcy, Heaven kno! The baronetcy of the Brooks of Brookcotes dates froer Brook, knight, procured his patent by supplying thirty infantry for three years in the subjugation of Ireland Independently of the title, our family is many centuries older than the other We spell our name without”----

”My (adj) fambly come all the way down from the Hark,” observed Mosey, with a rudeness which reflected little credit on his ancient lineage

----”without the final 'e' There is a manifest breach of trust in creation of these new baronetcies It was ination of the Order, by James I, that the number of baronets should not exceed two hundred, and that there should be no new creations to supply the place of such titles as h extinction of families”

”And is there no remedy for this?” I asked

”None whatever Not that I am personally interested in the exclusiveness of the Order,on the distaff side My mother was Sir Robert's only sister

My father was a military e Sir Robert was a confirmed bachelor, and I was his only nephe you see o, dehter-- soap manufacturer--and within two years there was a lineal heir to Brookcotes!”

”You don't say so?”

”Fact, begad! Shortly afterward, I was detected--ha-ha! Sua cuique voluptas-- in a liaison with a young person who resided with my uncle's wife as a companion Whereupon my lady used her influence with the de However, he gave ent in that city for 500

My lady's father also gave me letters of introduction to some friends in Sydney--business people Fact was, they wanted to get rid of gested

”Pardon s of a ht up as presuine how the entlearities of trade You are aware, I presume, that all avenues of aislature, are closed to our class? You cannot i it-- the exclusiveness, the fine sense of honour”

”Holy sailor!” I heard Thompson whisper to himself

----”which pervades the entlely, though sonored here, you have, no doubt, observed that our gentlee no fellowshi+p with professionals, though theyto the same team, and be paid from the same funds However, to proceed with a story which is, perhaps, not without interest

I left Melbourne before my pittance was exhausted, and presented my credentials in Sydney Mr Wilcox, a relation of my lady's father, and a person of some local importance, treated me at first with consideration--in fact, there was always a knife and fork forcoolness on his part I ought to mention that his sister, Mrs Bradsha, fat, fair, and forty-- had considerable capital invested in his business; and I was payingmy birth and education a sufficient counterpoise to her wealth I'd have ad I would! At this tielatine works; and he had the deelatine?” demanded Mosey ”I've of'en heard o' the (adj) stuff

What the (sheol) is it used in?”

”In coad! As I was saying, Wilcox had the demd assurance to offer me a clerkshi+p in his new establishment We had a feords in consequence; and shortly afterward I left Sydney, and found my way here

Have you any acquaintance in Sydney-- only an official of the ninth class, I received istrate who received my securities and otherwise attended to the matter-- I naturally asked hio strictly by seniority, but, as my iible for any higher grade-- never having passed any examination whatever--and as I could not be advanced over his head, my only chance was to step into his place when he vacated it Now, I kneas not likely to resign, for he had a good salary all to hi to do but refer me to the Central Office for orders I knew in fact, that there was only one way in which he was likely to quit his niche in the edifice of the State

So I replied to Willoughby's question]

”Well, I may say I have; and yet I'ht My superior officer lives there

Remotely possible you may know him--Rudolph Winterbottom, esquire”

”Rudolph Winterbottom--did you say? Yes, by Jove! rather a happy coincidence

I remember him well I was introduced to him on a reception day at Government House, and met him frequently afterward; dined in his company, I think, on two occasions”

”Is he a very old entleman is his father--Tho with vitality--came out, he told me, in the time of Sir Richard Bourke But I scarcely think Mr Rudolph Winterbottom holds any Government situation

His private fortune is fully sufficient for all deood society

Ah! now I have it! His son Rudy--his third or fourth son-- holds some appointment That will be your man”