A Double Knot Part 58

"The darling begged me to bring her up to see the delicious nest being prepared for her; but it was to be a stolen visit, for she said she could never look you in the face again if she thought you knew."

"Dear girl!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Elbraham. "Yes, she is so sweet and unworldly and innocent! Do you know, my dear Elbraham," said Lady Littletown, "a man like you, for whom so many mothers were bidding--"

"Ah, yes, I used to get a few invitations," said Elbraham complacently.

"I used to hear how terribly you flirted at Lady Millet's with those two daughters," said Lady Littletown playfully.

"By George! no. However, the old woman was always asking me to her at-homes and dinners, and to that wedding; but I never went."

"I knew it," said Lady Littletown to herself. "How mad she must be! Ah me!" she continued mournfully, "there are times when I feel as if I have done wrong in furthering this match."

"The deuce you do! Why?" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Elbraham. "Because my sweet Clotilde is so unused to the ways of the world, and it is such a terrible stride from her present home to the head of such an establishment as this."

"Oh, that be hanged!" cried Elbraham. "'Tis a change, of course--a precious great change from those skimpily-furnished apartments at Hampton Court."

"But show is not everything, my dear Elbraham," said Lady Littletown, laying a finger impressively upon the financier's arm.

"No, it is not; but people like it. I'll be bound to say Clotilde likes this place."

"She was in raptures--she could hardly contain her delight. Her sweet innocent ways of showing her pleasure made my heart bound. Ah, Elbraham, you have won a prize!"

"So has she," he said gruffly. "I don't know but what she has got the best of the bargain."

"Oh, you conceited man! how dare you say so? But it is only your quaintness."

"I say, though," cried Elbraham, "she did like the place?"

"I cannot tell you how much she was delighted."

"Did she say anything about me?"

"Oh yes; she was prattling artlessly about you for long enough--about your kindness, your generosity, the richness of the jewels you had given her. You sadly extravagant man! I can't tell you half what she said; but I really must take you to task for spoiling her so."

Elbraham coughed and cleared his throat.

"Didn't--er--er--she didn't say anything about--about my dress--my personal appearance, did she?"

"Now, wasn't I right when I called you a conceited man? Really, Elbraham, it is shocking! I declare you are one of the most anxious lovers I ever met, and I won't tell you a word she said."

"Oh yes; come now, do."

"It would be a breach of confidence, and I really cannot give way--no, not on any consideration."

"You are hard upon me," said Elbraham. "Oh, by the way, I haven't forgotten you, Lady Littletown. Would you wear this to oblige me?"

"Oh no, I could not think of taking it, Mr Elbraham really. It looks so like a bribe, too."

"No, no, that it don't," said the financier. "I wouldn't give it to you at first, for fear your ladyship should think I meant it in that way; but now it is all settled, and you have been so kind to me, I thought perhaps you would not mind accepting that little marquise ring just as a remembrance of, etcetera, etcetera--you know."

"Well, if you put it like that," said Lady Littletown, "I suppose I must take it, and wear it as you say. But it is too good, Elbraham--it is, really. What a lovely opal!"

"Yes, 'tis a good one, isn't it?"

"Charming! And what regular diamonds!"

"I thought you'd like it," chuckled Elbraham; and then, to himself, "They're all alike."

"Do you know, Elbraham," said her ladyship, holding the ring up to the light for him to see, as she fitted it upon her finger over her glove--"lovely, isn't it?--do you know, Elbraham, that I was going to ask you to do me a kindness?"

"Were you, though? What is it?"

"Well, you see, Elbraham, living, as I do, a woman's life, I am so ignorant of business matters."

"Of course you are," he responded. "Want to make your will?"

"No, no, no, no! horrid man! How can you?" she cried, whipping him playfully with her sunshade. "I want you to tell me what it means when a gentleman is short of money and he goes to somebody to get a bill discounted."

"Simplest thing in the world. If the paper's good," said Elbraham, "discount accordingly. I never touch bills now."

"No?" she said sweetly; "but then you are so rich. But that is it, Elbraham--if the paper's good, discount accordingly? What do you call it--the bill? Well, it is easy to have it on the very best note-paper."

"Haw, haw, haw! bless your ladyship's innocence!" cried Elbraham, with a hoa.r.s.e laugh. "By paper being good I mean that the man who signs his name is substantial--can pay up when it comes to maturity."

"Oh!" said Lady Littletown, drawing out the interjection in a singularly long way, "I see now. And that is how a gentleman raises money, is it?"

"Yes, that's it," said Elbraham, eyeing her ladyship curiously.

"Would not a lady do?" asked Lady Littletown.

"To be sure she would!" said the financier. "Lookye here--does your ladyship want a hundred or two?"

"Not to-morrow, dear Mr Elbraham; but my rents do not come in for another month, and I must confess to having been rather extravagant lately--I have had a great deal of company, and I thought I might-- might--might--what do you call it?"

"Do a bill."

"Yes, that's it--do a bill," said her ladyship, "if some kind friend would show me how."

"It's done," said Elbraham. "What would you like--two-fifty?"

"Well, yes," said her ladyship.

"Better make it three hundred--looks better," said the financier.

"But you are not to advance the money, dear Mr Elbraham. I could not take it of you."

"All right; I shan't have anything to do with it. Someone in the City will send your ladyship a slip of paper to sign, and the cheque will come by the next post. I say, though, what did Clotilde say?"

"Oh, I daren't tell you. Really, you know--pray don't press me--I couldn't confess. Dear Clotilde would be so angry if I betrayed her-- dear girl! I could not do that, you know."