Part 58 (2/2)
”Feel!--feel!” (impatiently). ”Just so: impostors thrive on the good feelings of--of the simple.”
”You were going to say fools,” said Katherine. ”Don't let us waste time, my dear Mr. Newton,” she went on, with good-humored decision. ”We shall never agree on such a topic; and I am going to buy this house, or another of the same kind if this proves not to be desirable; and I should be very sorry to employ any one but you to arrange the purchase.”
”Oh, you know your own mind, and how to threaten--eh, Miss Liddell?” he returned, with a smile. ”I must know more about the tenement before I can consent to act for you.”
”It is an ordinary three-storied house, with a couple of rooms built out at the back, in a small street where there are a few shops; but it is near Westbourne Terrace, and therefore in a region of good customers.
The late owner has been succeeded by a son, who seems very anxious to get rid of it. The price asked is seven hundred and fifty pounds, and I believe the taxes are under ten pounds. Do, dear Mr. Newton, look into the matter, and get it settled as soon as possible, and on the best terms you can.”
”Hum! and the furniture? Do you undertake that too?”
”Of course. Don't you see, I can do it all out of the money I have not been able to use. There is quite three thousand pounds on deposit in the bank. You know you wrote to me only a month ago about letting the money lie idle. I shall employ it now, for my _protegee_, Miss Trant, will be my only manager. I will pay her wages, and whatever profit after comes to me.”
”A very unknown quant.i.ty,” said the lawyer, drily. ”Still, the house can't run away, and I suppose will aways let for fifty or sixty pounds a year.”
”Fifty, I think.”
”Then I will look into the matter. Is it in habitable repair?”
”It seems so. Do your best to have the purchase completed as soon as possible, dear Mr. Newton. I want to start my modiste in good time to catch the home-coming people.”
”Believe me, it is an unwise project,” said Newton, thoughtfully.
”I know you think so, and you are right to counsel me according to your conscience; but as I am quite determined, you must not let me go to a stranger for help.”
”Very well; give me the address.”
”Seven Malden Street, Paddington. Bell & Co., house agents, in Harrow Road, have it on their books.”
”Good! I'll get a surveyor to see to sanitary arrangements, etc. Now that, as usual, you have conquered again and again, tell me something of yourself. Are you tired of the little nephews yet?”
”No, indeed. I have been happier with them than I dared hope to be when I was left alone nearly a year ago, yet”--Her voice faltered and her soft dark eyes filled.
”Yes, yes,” hastily, with a man's dread of tears; ”you couldn't get over that all at once. But you know it is a very Quixotic business taking those boys; and Mrs. Ormonde is not the woman to relieve you should any difficulty arise.”
”But when boys are well provided for there never can be a difficulty.
Ah, Mr. Newton, what a wonderful magician money is! What would become of me without it? It is almost worth risking anything to get it.”
”Or, apparently, to get rid of it,” remarked Mr. Newton. ”By-the-way, that was a tremendous smash of Errington's. Did you hear anything about him?”
”Yes,” rather faintly.
”The reason I mention him is that, curiously enough, _he_ was the man your uncle left everything to in that will he very fortunately destroyed. Of course I should only mention it to you: though now all is pa.s.sed and gone, it is of no importance. He has behaved very well. I am told he has turned to literature. It's a pity he did not follow his profession; but it would be rather late in the day for that. I think you must find these rooms rather stuffy and warm after the sea-breezes, for you are looking pale and f.a.gged again.”
”I feel a headache coming on,” said Katherine, pulling herself together.
”I hope you will pay me a visit someday. I should like to show you my dear little Charlie. He has a great look of my mother, especially his eyes; they are _just_ like hers.”
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