Part 24 (2/2)
”I won't go at all if you don't listen to me. Look here; I want fifty pounds.”
”What for?”
”Never mind. Will you lend it to me?”
”But what can you want with fifty pounds, Harry? You're not in debt?”
”You've got some saved up. Now, lend it to me, there's a good girl; I'll pay you again, honour bright.”
”Harry, I've lent you money till I'm tired of lending, and you never do pay me back.”
”But I will this time.”
Louise shook her head.
”What, you don't believe me?”
”I believe you would pay me again if you had the money; but if I lent it you would spend it, and be as poor as ever in a month.”
”Not this time, Lou. Lend it to me.”
She shook her head.
”Then hang me if I don't go and ask Duncan Leslie.”
”Harry! No; you would not degrade yourself to that.”
”Will you lend it?”
”No.”
”Then I will ask him. The poor fool will think it will please you, and lend it directly. I'll make it a hundred whilst I'm about it.”
”Harry!”
”Too late now,” he cried, and he hurried away.
”Oh!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Louise, as she stood gazing after him with her cheeks burning.
”No,” she said, after a pause; ”it was only a threat; he would not dare.”
”Harry gone to his office?” said Vine, entering the room. ”Yes, dear.”
”Mr Pradelle gone too?”
”Yes, dear; fis.h.i.+ng, I think.”
”Hum. Makes this house quite his home.”
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