At time of Noel he sent cards to all the families of the parish who had been his friends, as from his daughter and himself; and when people came to visit at the Manor on New Year's Day, he said to each and all that his daughter regretted she could not arrive in time from the West to receive them; but that next year she would certainly have the pleasure." "Like the light in the window for the unreturning sailor," somewhat cynically remarked the Big Financier.

"Did many come to the Manor on that New Year's Day ?" "But yes, many, monsieur.

Some came from kindness, and some because they were curious--" "And Monsieur Dolores ?" The lips of the Clerk of the Court curled, "He went about with a manner as soft as that of a young cure.

Butter would not melt in his mouth.
Some of the women were sorry for him, until they knew he had given one of Jean Jacques' best bear-skin rugs to Madame Palass Poucette for a New Year's gift." The Big Financier laughed cheerfully.

"It's an old way to popularity--being generous with other people's money.