“Four pounds ten shillings per cent. per annum,” answered Mr. Black, at which reply Arthur laughed.
“You won’t make much of him, aunt,” he said; “you cannot get him to advise an unsafe investment.”
For a moment Miss Hope turned towards her nephew, evidently meditating an attack on him. Changing her mind, however, she addressed herself to Mr. Black once more.
“But there is more surely than four and a half per cent. to be had now-a-days, is there not; in some of those great companies, for instance?”
“All swindles, ma’am,” declared the promoter. “Should not advise you, or at least your friend, to have anything to do with them. In the companies that are bona fide, all the shares are snapped up before the project is well before the public. Whenever you hear of shares going a-begging, depend upon it the whole concern is rotten.”
“You are an authority in such matters?” she suggested.
“Not a better authority than Miss Hope,” replied Mr. Black, gallantly.
“What do you mean; do you think I know anything about investments?” she asked.
“I have heard that either you or some friend of yours does,” he answered. “I have heard of very good ventures you have made,—of shares sold in the nick of time, and bought wisely, and at a very low figure.”
“I assure you, Mr. Black, you have been misinformed,” said the spinster, eagerly; “all my money is sunk in a life annuity.”