‘Indeed!’ said Ernest, smiling. ‘Well, they are the best judges of their own line of action. How are they doing? Making lots of money?’
‘Well, they ought to—ought to—but I’m afraid they’re not very good managers. Rawson’s rather slow—Rowdy’s too fast. However, I can’t help that. Do you happen to want a crack run, my dear Neuchamp? I’ve got Brigalow Park and Mallee Meadows for sale, a real bargain; quite a——’
‘Not just at present,’ said Ernest, preparing to move past. ‘See you at the club. The Count seems to be enjoying himself—who is the lady?’ This last observation was elicited by the appearance of the noble host, who passed at a little distance with a very handsome and magnificently dressed girl upon his arm, talking in the most empressé manner; while she, conscious of being at that moment an object of envy to the great majority of her sex, there and then present, listened with apparent pleasure.
‘Oh, that’s Miss Folleton, of Fairmount. Fine girl, isn’t she? Will have forty thousand on her wedding-day,’ said Selmore, who knew everybody and everything; or said he did, which was much the same. ‘Not that Von Schätterheims cares for that. Immense property of his own, vast estates in Silesia, nearly as many sheep as Esterhazy—- that’s why he comes out here. Thinks of investing—met him abroad myself.’
‘Indeed,’ said Ernest; ‘haven’t you anything that will suit him?’
‘Well,’ said Selmore, looking, for him, slightly confused and glancing at Antonia, who was regarding him critically, ‘I told him that Mallee Meadows and the other place might suit him, but he wants a resident partner. How would you like to go in with him? You’re just the man that would suit him.’
‘Can’t bear partners,’ replied Ernest shortly; ‘I am afraid his highness and I wouldn’t agree. I think I see a seat, Miss Frankston.’
‘I dislike that man intensely,’ said Antonia, as they moved on. ‘I think him so selfish and unprincipled. I wonder if he has inveigled the Count into one of his bargains, as he calls them?’
‘From a cursory examination of your high-born friend’s conversation,’ said Ernest, ‘I think he may be trusted to take care of himself in matters of finance, as indeed is the case with most foreigners.’
‘Now, is not that a very prejudiced though English speech? You cannot really believe that because a man is born on the continent of Europe he must be less trustworthy than any one from that wonderful little island of yours?’