Скорбь сатаны

Chapter 21

           Ismiledindulgently,andassuredhim,notwithoutatouchofsatireinmytone,thatIwasconvincedallclergymenwerehonestandunselfish—andthenIsentmyservanttobowhimoutwithallpossiblepoliteness.AndthatverydayIremember,IdrankatmyluncheonChateauYquemattwenty-fiveshillingsabottle.

           Ienterintotheseapparentlytriflingdetailsbecausetheyallhelptomakeupthesumandsubstanceofthedeadlyconsequencestofollow—andalsobecauseIwishtoemphasizethefactthatinmyactionsIonlyimitatedtheexampleofmycompeers.Mostrichmento-dayfollowthesamecourseasIdid—andactivepersonalgoodtothecommunityiswroughtbyveryfewofthem.Nogreatdeedofgenerosityilluminesourannals.Royaltyitselfleadsnofashioninthis—theroyalgiftsofgameandcast-offclothingsenttoourhospitalsaretooslightandconventionaltocarryweight.The‘entertainmentsforthepoor’gotupbysomeofthearistocratsattheEastend,arenothing,andlessthannothing.Theyareweaksopstoourtame‘lioncouchant’offeredindoubtfulfearandtrembling.Forourlioniswakefulandsomewhatrestive—thereisnoknowingwhatmayhappeniftheoriginalferocityofthebeastisroused.Afewofourover-richmenmightconsiderablyeasetheloadofcruelpovertyinmanyquartersofthemetropolisiftheyunitedthemselveswithanobleunselfishnessinthestronganddeterminedefforttodoso,andeschewedred-tapeismandwordyargument.

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