“It is hard, sir, very hard. Still, it was fortunate that you had already invested £40,000 in good securities. After all, with this house and £40,000 you will really not so very much miss the sum you have lost.”
“That is exactly what I tell myself, Will. Still, you know, a dog with two bones in his mouth will growl if he loses one of them. Nevertheless £40,000 is not to be despised by any means, and I shall have plenty to give my little Alice a good portion when she marries.”
“That will be comfortable for her, sir, but I should say that the man would be lucky if he got her without a shilling.”
“Well, well, we’ll see, we’ll see. I have no desire to part with her yet.”
“That I can well understand, sir.”
“Ah, here she is!”
A rosy colour spread over the girl’s face when she saw who her father’s visitor was.
“I expected you in a day or two,” she said, “but not so soon as this. When we saw your name in the Gazette we made sure that it would not be long before you paid us a visit. I am glad to see that your wound has not pulled you down much.”
“No indeed. I am all right; but it was certain that I should come here first of all.”
“And what are your plans now?” Mr. Palethorpe asked.