There ain't many of that stamp left."
"I don't know one," continued the gentleman, with enthusiasm. "They
all go in for something now, just as Jones goes in for being a bank
clerk. They are politicians, or gamblers, or, by heaven, tradesmen,
as some of them are. The Earl of Tydvil and Lord Merthyr are in
partnership together working their own mines,--by the Lord, with a
regular deed of partnership, just like two cheesemongers. The Marquis
of Maltanops has a share in a bitter beer house at Burton. And
the Duke of Discount, who married old Ballance's daughter, and is
brother-in-law to young George Advance, retains his interest in the
house in Lombard Street. I know it for a fact."
"Old Omnium was above that kind of thing," said Mr. Maule.
"Lord bless you;--quite another sort of man. There is nothing left
like it now. With a princely income I don't suppose he ever put by
a shilling in his life. I've heard it said that he couldn't afford
to marry, living in the manner in which he chose to live. And he
understood what dignity meant.
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