“Oh, Mr Moffatt, you should not have troubled when you were so hustled. It’s too good of you!” cried Cornelia, eagerly, her heart warming to the little man for a promptitude in money matters which reminded her of her own beloved Poppar. “Of course it’s all right!” She cast a casual glance over the cheque, and broke into a surprised laugh. “It isn’t, though! You’ve paid me too much! I guess I’m not a usurer, to want interest for a single night. It was only two hundred that I lent!”
Mr Moffatt gave an exclamation of irritation.
“And I have made it out for two hundred and fifty! How very annoying! I have advised it to the bank, too, and sent off the letter. I wanted to get through with as much business as possible this morning. The more hurry the less speed! Why on earth could you not give me the right figures, Gertrude?”
He turned upon his wife with an expression of querulous anger, which she treated with her usual cool disdain.
“I did tell you, Silas—but, for the land’s sake, don’t make a fuss! It’s simple enough, Cornelia can give me the change in notes, and it will do to pay up one or two odd accounts before we leave. You won’t mind, dear, I know; and, see here! I’m fairly rattled this morning, and I want you to help me through. I’ve written out a list of errands that ought to be done right away, as soon as you’ve gotten through breakfast. The particulars are down on this list, and I’d be for ever obliged. You ought to get through before one, if you start soon, so meet me at Buzzard’s and we’ll have lunch together. In case I should be late, don’t wait, but just order for yourself, and allow half an hour to get to Paddington. If I’m delayed, I’ll go straight there, and look out for you on our platform.”
“That’ll be all right. I’ll stay till you come,” Cornelia assented. She had already opened the gold chain bag which hung by her side, and was smoothing-out a roll of notes. “Two fives, two tens; I guess that’s all I can do this morning! I’ll give you the rest to-night.”
“Oh, my, yes; there’s no hurry. Thank you, dear; much obliged!” said Mrs Moffatt, lightly, but her expression altered as she spoke. Cornelia wondered if she were imagining a look of disappointment. It must be imagination, for of what importance were a trumpery hundred dollars to a woman who daily squandered many times the amount on her own adornment!
After the Moffatts had departed, Cornelia ate her breakfast, and set out in a hansom to accomplish Mrs Moffatt’s commissions before proceeding to shop on her own account. She handed the driver the list of addresses which she was asked to visit in town, and wondered at his expression of astonishment; but she wondered no longer as they traversed mile after mile of dreary roadways, to find on arriving at the first destination that as great a distance still separated it from the second on the list. The commissions themselves were trivial and unimportant, at which Cornelia was not surprised after her personal experience of Mrs Moffatt’s shopping eccentricities, but when she had wasted a couple of hours driving to and fro for no tangible result, she waxed impatient, determined that she had done enough for the honour of friendship, and that Mrs Moffatt could herself finish the remaining transactions. She therefore directed the driver to take her to the jeweller’s shop in Bond Street where she had made her previous purchases, and anticipated a pleasant half hour choosing an ornament which would commend itself to Elma’s approval.
The partner in the firm welcomed her with his usual empressement, mingled with a certain surprise for which she was at a loss to account. Although a keen tradesman, pearl brooches and bangles seemed this morning too trivial matters to engross his attention; he had the air of waiting momentarily to discuss a more important subject, and presently introduced it himself, unable to be longer silent.
“I despatched a messenger to the hotel an hour ago with the emerald necklace! Mrs Moffatt informed him that you were not in at the moment, but would be able to see him at tea-time. She was probably unaware that you intended to call yourself.”