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I wish I could make that aspect of his nature quite clear, otherwise what he did would seem too monstrous, too incredible--for a man of his birth and breeding, education and upbringing.
Perhaps I can sum up his character briefly like this.
He would not, and probably could not, hatch some artful plot whereby he could swindle you of a ten-pound note: but if he saw one fall from your pocket as you walked down the road in front of him, undoubtedly he'd 'find' it, and a good home (and a bad use) for it.
* * * * *
And now, is it possible for me to confess that I liked Captain Bertie-Norton fairly well at first, if very ill at last; but even to the last there was something likeable about this charming, easy-going man; this irresponsible, unreliable failure; this utterly selfish and completely callous parasite.
[6]
Well, I have, to the best of my ability, given you some idea of the characters of the dramatis personæ of this play, which was enacted by real people upon this little corner of the stage of Life. I will tell the story--but in my own way, as I have said--of the terrible drama itself.