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genuine value there was in himto be content to pass as a good
halfpenny； or； to speak more accurately； as a good confectioner。
For in spite of some additional reading and observation； there was
nothing else he could make so much money by； nay； he found in
himself even a capability of extending his skill in this direction；
and embracing all forms of cookery； while； in other branches of
human labour； he began to see that it was not possible for him to
shine。 Fate was too strong for him； he had thought to master her
inclination and had fled over the seas to that end； but she caught
him； tied an apron round him； and snatching him from all other
devices； made him devise cakes and patties in a kitchen at
Kingstown。 He was getting submissive to her； since she paid him
with tolerable gains； but fevers and prickly heat； and other evils
incidental to cooks in ardent climates； made him long for his native
land； so he took ship once more； carrying his six years' savings；
and seeing distinctly； this time； what were Fate's intentions as to
his career。 If you question me closely as to whether all the money
with which he set up at Grimworth consisted of pure and simple
earnings； I am obliged to confess that he got a sum or two for
charitably abstaining from mentioning some other people's
misdemeanours。 Altogether； since no prospects were attached to his
family name； and since a new christening seemed a suitable
commencement of a new life； Mr。 David Faux thought it as well to
call himself Mr。 Edward Freely。
But lo！ now； in opposition to all calculable probability； some
benefit appeared to be attached to the name of David Faux。 Should
he neglect it； as beneath the attention of a prosperous tradesman？
It might bring him into contact with his family again； and he felt
no yearnings in that direction： moreover； he had small belief that
the 〃something to his advantage〃 could be anything considerable。 On
the other hand； even a small gain is pleasant； and the promise of it
in this instance was so surprising； that David felt his curiosity
awakened。 The scale dipped at last on the side of writing to the
lawyer； and； to be brief； the correspondence ended in an appointment
for a meeting between David and his eldest brother at Mr。 Strutt's；
the vague 〃something〃 having been defined as a legacy from his
father of eighty…two pounds； three shillings。
David； you know； had expected to be disinherited； and so he would
have been； if he had not； like some other indifferent sons； come of
excellent parents； whose conscience made them scrupulous where much
more highly…instructed people often feel themselves warranted in
following the bent of their indignation。 Good Mrs。 Faux could never
forget that she had brought this ill…conditioned son into the world
when he was in that entirely helpless state which excluded the
smallest choice on his part； and； somehow or other； she felt that
his going wrong would be his father's and mother's fault； if they
failed in one tittle of their parental duty。 Her notion of parental
duty was not of a high and subtle kind； but it included giving him
his due share of the family property； for when a man had got a
little honest money of his own； was he so likely to steal？ To cut
the delinquent son off with a shilling； was like delivering him over
to his evil propensities。 No； let the sum of twenty guineas which
he had stolen be deducted from his share； and then let the sum of
three guineas be put back from it； seeing that his mother had always
considered three of the twenty guineas as his； and； though he had
run away； and was； perhaps； gone across the sea； let the money be
left to him all the same； and be kept in reserve for his possible
return。 Mr。 Faux agreed to his wife's views； and made a codicil to
his will accordingly； in time to die with a clear conscience。 But
for some time his family thought it likely that David would never
reappear； and the eldest son； who had the charge of Jacob on his
hands； often thought it a little hard that David might perhaps be
dead； and yet； for want of certitude on that point； his legacy could
not fall to his legal heir。 But in this state of things the
opposite certitudenamely； that David was still alive and in
Englandseemed to be brought by the testimony of a neighbour； who；
having been on a journey to Cattelton； was pretty sure he had seen
David in a gig； with a stout man driving by his side。 He could
〃swear it was David；〃 though he could 〃give no account why； for he
had no marks on him； but no more had a white dog； and that didn't
hinder folks from knowing a white dog。〃 It was this incident which
had led to the advertisement。
The legacy was paid； of course； after a few preliminary disclosures
as to Mr。 David's actual position。 He begged to send his love to
his mother； and to say that he hoped to pay her a dutiful visit by
and by； but； at present； his business and near prospect of marriage
made it difficult for him to leave home。 His brother replied with
much frankness。
〃My mother may do as she likes about having you to see her； but； for
my part； I don't want to catch sight of you on the premises again。
When folks have taken a new name； they'd better keep to their new
'quinetance。〃
David pocketed the insult along with the eighty…two pounds three；
and travelled home again in some triumph at the ease of a
transaction which had enriched him to this extent。 He had no
intention of offending his brother by further claims on his
fraternal recognition； and relapsed with full contentment into the
character of Mr。 Edward Freely； the orphan； scion of a great but
reduced family； with an eccentric uncle in the West Indies。 （I have
already hinted that he had some acquaintance with imaginative
literature； and being of a practical turn； he had； you perceive；
applied even this form of knowledge to practical purposes。）
It was little more than a week after the return from his fruitful
journey； that the day of his marriage with Penny having been fixed；
it was agreed that Mrs。 Palfrey should overcome her reluctance to
move from home； and that she and her husband should bring their two
daughters to inspect little Penny's future abode and decide on the
new arrangements to be made for the reception of the bride。 Mr。
Freely meant her to have a house so pretty and comfortable that she
need not envy even a wool…factor's wife。 Of course； the upper room
over the shop was to be the best sitting…room； but also the parlour
behind the shop was to be made a suitable bower for the lovely
Penny； who would naturally wish to be near her husband； though Mr。
Freely declared his resolution never to allow HIS wife to wait in
the shop。 The decisions about the parlour furniture were left till
last； because the party was to take tea there； and； about five
o'clock； they were all seated there with the best muffins and
buttered buns before them； little Penny blushing and smiling； with
her