Mr. Richard Tallant had hitherto succeeded in profiting by the storm. He was one of those financial wreckers who plundered the broken ships, and made money out of claims for salvage after the crews were murdered. But he had believed, like some others, that the worst was past during that breathing time, and in an evil hour for him he had, on good information, bought largely of shares in the Bungalay Bank, and had taken a seat at the board of directors. The thing collapsed immediately on the revival of the financial storm, and Mr. Tallant’s losses were so considerable, that the four thousand pounds which he had screwed out of Twyzell and Kits were absolutely necessary to meet and float fresh bills of exchange which had been useful bladders to him in the monetary sea for some time past. Several “good things” had come to the ground without warning, including a discount house in which Mr. Tallant was interested.
The times were peculiarly ticklish for many a stronger man than Richard Tallant; but that gentleman found himself in a position which needed all his administrative ability. He not only held a large number of shares in the Bungalay Bank, but he had used the establishment largely in connection with the Discount Company for bill purposes. He had worked his position at the Meter Iron Works to considerable advantage, drawing upon foreign iron houses, and other companies (some of them quite imaginary), and holding their acceptances to a large amount. The collapse of the Bungalay Bank and the Discount Company made things particularly unpleasant. It would not do for him to sell to any extent the shares he held in the Meter Works; for his holding there gave him a strong position at the board. He had before now made money out of winding up a bank; but there had been no opportunity for this in the Bungalay, and Mr. Tallant had a shrewd suspicion that he had been “done” in this business, seeing that the promoter of the bank was the gentleman who had brought it to the ground by a petition to wind it up.
Keeping up appearances was a thing of great importance to Mr. Tallant—next indeed to meeting his engagements. He therefore took an opportunity to let it be known in the proper quarter that his sister was going to be married to Earl Verner, which fact speedily came forth in the Morning Post, and was copied by a host of other journals. “The Right Hon. the Earl Verner will shortly lead to the hymeneal altar, Miss Tallant, daughter and heiress of the late Christopher Tallant, Esq., of Barton Hall, and sister to Richard Tallant, Esq., of the City of London, Managing Director of the famous Meter Iron Works Company.”
Lord Verner did not much like this announcement. The thing might have been blazoned forth in all the papers so far as the mere fact was concerned; but he objected to the introduction of Richard Tallant into the announcement. He was her brother, no doubt, but he was a scoundrel he believed in addition, and his father had disowned him.
His lordship showed Amy the Post, and she only laughed at it, and said how very absurd to mention her brother.
“Though by the way, my lord, he is wonderfully improved, I believe. He is making quite a reputation in that dreadful London.”
“Is he, my love?” said Lord Verner, looking down at Miss Tallant, as she put the last touches to a water-colour drawing.
“Yes, I have seen his name in the papers several times lately mentioned almost as respectfully as his late father’s.”
What a splendid creature she is, Lord Verner thought, as he stood by her side, forgetting altogether about her brother. “Is not that sky slightly too blue?” he said, leaning over her.
“Perhaps it is my love—my lord, I mean,” said Amy, at which his lordship was in raptures; so much so, that he put his arm round the painter’s waist, and kissed her.