“Ah! business! I hear of nothing but business. There is papa gone down to the country and burying himself alive to work out some great scheme of business.”
I pricked up my ears.
“Ah! what scheme is that?” I asked.
“Oh, I don’t know! Something about that horrid debt. But I was told not to say anything about it!”
The debt was becoming a bore. The whole air was full of it. I hastily paid Donna Antonia a few incoherent compliments, and took my leave. As I was putting on my coat Colonel McGregor joined me and, with more friendliness than he usually showed me, accompanied me down the avenue toward the Piazza. After some indifferent remarks he began:
“Martin, you and I have separate interests in some matters, but I think we have the same in others.”
I knew at once what he meant; it was that debt over again!
I remained silent, and he continued:
“About the debt, for instance. You are interested in the debt?”
“Somewhat,” said I. “A banker generally is interested in a debt.”