“The richest man I know.”
“Didn’t he lose every thing he had by the failure of the United States Bank?”
“Not by any means.”
“Oh, but I am sure he did. He’s been doing a small commission business, and, to my certain knowledge, has lost several valuable consignments, because he was unable to make advances. They came to our house.”
“That may be, and yet Mr. Townsend not be so very poor. I happen to know that he possesses a treasure of priceless value.”
“Not transmutable into gold, I presume. No doubt there are a good many others rich in the same way. You mean in his children—in this daughter of whom we were speaking, perhaps.”
“Yes, that is what I mean. No man who has a child like Eunice Townsend should be called poor.”
“Really! I was not aware that your inclinations lay in that direction. I presume you will find no difficulty in obtaining the hand of Eunice, if such be your desire.”
“Where did you see Miss Townsend?” asked Albertson.
“I saw her coming out of Trist & Lee’s auction store. A strange place for a young lady to be seen; don’t you think so?”