“Well, then, is it likely that I should refuse to raise him money, when I can do it for four per cent, and send him post haste to some confounded gang of scoundrels who would charge him sixty, and make him take half the money in bad wine and cigars.”
“No, no, of course not. I was wrong.”
“Hist! Here’s Gertrude.”
“Ah, my dear child,” cried the doctor, kissing her affectionately. “Why, hullo! Here’s checks! Dark marks under the eyes, too! This won’t do. Here, Hampton, you’ll have to turn out, and I must come into residence.”
“Oh, I’m quite well,” said Gertrude laughingly. “I’m so glad you’ve come.”
“Are you? That’s right. Where’s Mr George?”
“Not come back yet. He said the dinner was to be kept back an hour.”
“Well, well, better appetites. And where is Mrs Hampton?”
“Here,” said that lady’s sharp, decisive voice, as, after making a hurried change of costume, she returned to the drawing-room.
“That the new fashion, Rachel?” said the lawyer drily.