He had invested
largely in California mines, and was the chief shareholder in a San
Francisco Bank. But the mines had proved worthless, the Bank had that
morning suspended payment, owing to the failure of a large land and
timber company on the Sierras which it had imprudently "carried."
The spark which had demolished Oldenhurst had been fired from the new
telegraph-station in the hotel above the great Sierran canyon.
There was a large house-party at Oldenhurst that morning. But it had
been a part of the history of the Mainwarings to accept defeat gallantly
and as became their blood. Sir Percival,--the second gentleman on the
left as you entered the library,--unhorsed, dying on a distant moor,
with a handful of followers, abandoned by a charming Prince and a
miserable cause, was scarcely a greater hero than this ruined but
undaunted gentleman of eighty, entering the breakfast-room a few
hours later as jauntily as his gout would permit, and conscientiously
dispensing the hospitalities of his crumbling house. When he had
arranged a few pleasure parties for the day and himself thoughtfully
anticipated the different tastes of his guests, he turned to Lady
Mainwaring.
"Don't forget that somebody ought to go to the station to meet the
Bradleys.
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