We dined sumptuously again, and after dinner drove to a music hall. Here the usual extravagance was repeated, indeed it exceeded all bounds. Not only did he buy flowers in vast heaps, which he distributed upon the stage; but later went into the green room, and disbursed considerable money among the actresses. His prodigality was so absurd and unmeaning that I finally left him in disgust, returning to the hotel alone. It was quite late when he came in, and I met him in rather angry mood: "Well, you have made a fool of yourself!" I exclaimed, as he threw himself upon a large Persian _musnud_ to finish his cigar before retiring. "How?" he asked, quite innocently. "By throwing away your money among a lot of sharpies, who wouldn’t lend you a copper to save your soul!" Torrence roared, as if he thought it the best joke imaginable. "Now, look here, old boy," he said in another minute, "don’t lose your temper, because it doesn’t pay. What’s the use of money if not to give pleasure? That’s my way of enjoying myself, and I don’t either ask or expect any favors in return. As you see, it takes a lot of money to buy my pleasure, but I can afford it!" "If you have such an income that you can’t spend it," I replied, "suppose you give a little of it to me. You might be glad some day if you found that I had saved a few pounds for you!" The speech would have been contemptible, considering the amount of money Torrence had already given me, were it not for the fact that I intended it for his good as well as my own, hoping to save at least a part of a fortune, which was being squandered so shamefully under my eyes. "Why, certainly," he answered good naturedly, and half-rising from the lounge, "how much do you want?" "Anything you have to spare!" Without another word he got up, and going to the writing table, signed a blank check and handed it to me. "There! fill it out for yourself!" he exclaimed. "For how much?" "Anything you please," he replied, with a look of utter indifference. "But you must say," I persisted. "Really, I don’t care, Gurt," he answered, striking a match to relight his cigar. "My bankers will pay anything you put on it, I fancy." "Have you as much as a thousand pounds with these people?" He laughed outright. "I should hope so!" he shouted; "but if that is all you want, I have probably as much about me, for you must remember that I am a business man now, and am conducting costly experiments in connection with the air ship, which I intend shall be the most perfect thing on earth!" "I suppose then it will cost you more than the twenty thousand dollars you thought?" "Well, rather! If I get off with as many pounds I shall be lucky!" I gasped but said nothing. "Why don’t you fill out your check?" he continued, observing that I was standing idly by the table, my mouth open in astonishment. "Shall I put down a thousand?" I asked, not knowing what to say. "Yes, and two of them, if you wish. I really don’t care."