Tinker, Sir Tancred, and Lord Crosland would have admitted him to their
intimacy for the sake of Dorothy; but simple souls themselves, they
recognised in him a kindred simplicity, and admitted him to their
friendship. He possessed, to a great degree, the American
adaptability; and it is not surprising that he fell into their way of
taking life easily. It was only for the time being. The millionaire
is a good deal of the Sindbad, and he must bear the burden and go the
way of the golden Old Man of the Sea he has made for himself. But
Septimus Rainer enjoyed this respite from the tyranny of his millions
with the whole-hearted pleasure of a child. He enjoyed the brightness
and glitter of the place; he enjoyed the pleasant meals and pleasant
talks with pleasant companions; he enjoyed a little gambling at the
tables; and he enjoyed with a childlike zest playing with Dorothy and
the children, displaying latent and unsuspected talents for piracy,
brigandage, and conspiracy, which were no less a glory than a surprise
to him. Indeed, at times he was very like a young schoolboy let loose
after many hours' school.
Tinker was of perpetual interest to him, and he listened with greedy
ears to the wisdom of the world of that sage, on the rare occasions
when some matter or other set it flowing from his lips.
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