His manor of Kellynch being long-let to respectable tenants (and the creditability and regularity of the Admiral’s bank-draught was as far as Sir William had enquired in that line), he had settled permanently in Bath, as its supply of lonely widows of ample jointure, and hopeful spinsters whose property could remedy the want of youth or beauty, were far more numerous than in the country neighbourhood of Kellynch. The Kellynch estate had provided him with little more than a title, the previous heir having been a man of more fashion than sense. Accordingly, Sir William had made the restoration of the Kellynch fortune his concern, and had scrupled to release the estate from its burthen of mortgages for at least the comfort of the present baronet. Sir William’s method in securing the funds necessary to maintain his estate and his consequence was of the simplest construction possible: his myrmidon, Colonel Wallis, would travel to various parts of the country where trade was most in want of ready money; investors would be sought, and Sir William would receive an attractive percentage of the sum. The ultimate success of the venture was not the baronet’s concern, only the delivery of those sources of unfettered capital. The fates of the investment and the investors were histories in which Sir William had no concern. His residence in Bath exactly coincided with his need of a steady supply of those who could be enticed to venture some or all of their fortunes with just such an amiable and handsome baronet as himself.

“Sir William,” said Lady Catherine, moving closer to him on the settee, “Where can you have been these last three days? You have quite spoilt us! Anne and I were excessively disappointed that you did not dine with us, and we could not find that you had been at the Pump Room this week.”

“It was unavoidable, I assure you Ma’am” he replied with a low bow and a smile. “There can be no inducement of a voluntary nature which could stand as recompense for the loss of the greatest of pleasures in seeing you and Miss de Bourgh. Regrettably, the harsh dictates of business must occasionally triumph over the sweeter voices of pleasure.”