A young man named Hughie Erskine struggles with his lack of wealth despite his charm and good looks. He is in love with Laura Merton, the daughter of a retired Colonel who demands that Hughie have £10,000 before he can marry her. Hughie, living on a meager allowance from an aunt, feels despondent about his financial situation. One day, he visits his friend Alan Trevor, a successful painter, who is working on a portrait of a beggar. Hughie, moved by the beggar's plight, gives him a sovereign, despite his own financial constraints. Trevor later reveals that the beggar is actually Baron Hausberg, a wealthy man who commissioned the painting as a joke. Hughie is embarrassed by his generosity, fearing he has made a fool of himself. The next day, a messenger arrives from the Baron, delivering a letter that contains a cheque for £10,000 as a wedding gift for Hughie and Laura. The story concludes with Hughie marrying Laura, with Trevor as the best man, and the Baron humorously noted for being a "model millionaire." The narrative explores themes of wealth, generosity, and the unexpected nature of appearances.
By Oscar Wilde · First published 1895 · Genre: Short Story, Literary Fiction, Comedy