“They all understand perfectly. The summonses and grumblings are a mere matter of form. I have promised an enormous rate of interest and higher wages when I have moved into Kingsborough House and Bosquith. The other estates I have already agreed to let to American millionnaires. They are impatiently awaiting Kingsborough’s death.”
“Ah? Where have you met the millionnaires?”
“They have been hunting with the Hertfordshire all winter, and we have discussed matters at my solicitor’s.”
Julia knew that he had not been to London for several months, save for the queen’s funeral, but forbore to press the subject. She remarked amiably: —
“What a fine income you will have!”
His eyes flashed. “Ah, yes! Millions.”
“Surely not quite that.”
“Millions. Kingsborough’s income alone is two millions.”
“I thought it was forty thousand pounds.”
“Forty thousand for a duke of Kingsborough! No emperor has a vaster revenue.”