"What capital have you in the business?"
"What capital?"
"Yes;—how much did you put into it at starting?"
Lopez paused a moment. He had got his wife. The marriage could not be undone. Mr. Wharton had money enough for them all, and would not certainly discard his daughter. Mr. Wharton could place him on a really firm footing, and might not improbably do so if he could be made to feel some confidence in his son-in-law. At this moment there was much doubt with the son-in-law whether he had better not tell the simple truth. "It has gone in by degrees," he said. "Altogether I have had about £8000 in it." In truth he had never been possessed of a shilling.
"Does that include the £3000 you had from me?"
"Yes; it does."
"Then you have married my girl and started into the world with a business based on £5000, and which had so far miscarried that within a month or two after your marriage you were driven to apply to me for funds!"
"I wanted money for a certain purpose."
"Have you any partner, Mr. Lopez?" This address was felt to be very ominous.
"Yes. I have a partner who is possessed of capital. His name is Parker."