The Wrath of God

Extract

I once knew a charming lady, somewhat top heavy with titles, who had a delicious assurance that all things she desired were hers by the right of desiring. As we walked down Bond Street she would glide through shop doors, ordering whatever took her fancy. Because of the titles the goods were sent without question. Much later she would be astonished and dismayed by following bills. With cries of distress she would rally those friends to her side whose cognomens were less rare but whose view of life included the inevitability of payment.