The Brazilian Cat

           Itishardluckonayoungfellowtohaveexpensivetastes,greatexpectations,aristocraticconnections,butnoactualmoneyinhispocket,andnoprofessionbywhichhemayearnany.Thefactwasthatmyfather,agood,sanguine,easy-goingman,hadsuchconfidenceinthewealthandbenevolenceofhisbachelorelderbrother,LordSoutherton,thathetookitforgrantedthatI,hisonlyson,wouldneverbecalledupontoearnalivingformyself.HeimaginedthatiftherewerenotavacancyformeonthegreatSouthertonEstates,atleasttherewouldbefoundsomepostinthatdiplomaticservicewhichstillremainsthespecialpreserveofourprivilegedclasses.Hediedtooearlytorealizehowfalsehiscalculationshadbeen.NeithermyunclenortheStatetooktheslightestnoticeofme,orshowedanyinterestinmycareer.Anoccasionalbraceofpheasants,orbasketofhares,wasallthateverreachedmetoremindmethatIwasheirtoOtwellHouseandoneoftherichestestatesinthecountry.Inthemeantime,Ifoundmyselfabachelorandmanabouttown,livinginasuiteofapartmentsinGrosvenorMansions,withnooccupationsavethatofpigeon-shootingandpolo-playingatHurlingham.MonthbymonthIrealizedthatitwasmoreandmoredifficulttogetthebrokerstorenewmybills,ortocashanyfurtherpost-obitsuponanunentailedproperty.Ruinlayrightacrossmypath,andeverydayIsawitclearer,nearer,andmoreabsolutelyunavoidable.

           Whatmademefeelmyownpovertythemorewasthat,apartfromthegreatwealthofLordSoutherton,allmyotherrelationswerefairlywell-to-do.