"
Her Ladyship became possessed of this pecuniary remittance under
circumstances which surround it with a halo of romantic interest. It was
the last communication she was destined to receive from her accomplished
nephew. There was a Note attached to it, which cannot fail to enhance
its value in the estimation of all right-minded persons who assist the
circulation of paper money.
The lines that follow are strictly confidential:
"Note.--Our excellent Moody informs me, my dear aunt, that you have
decided (against his advice) on 'refusing to prosecute.' I have not
the slightest idea of what he means; but I am very much obliged to
him, nevertheless, for reminding me of a circumstance which is of some
interest to yourself personally.
"I am on the point of retiring to the Continent in search of health.
One generally forgets something important when one starts on a journey.
Before Moody called, I had entirely forgotten to mention that I had the
pleasure of borrowing five hundred pounds of you some little time since.
"On the occasion to which I refer, your language and manner suggested
that you would not lend me the money if I asked for it. Obviously, the
only course left was to take it without asking. I took it while Moody
was gone to get some curacoa; and I returned to the picture-gallery in
time to receive that delicious liqueur from the footman's hands.
"You will naturally ask why I found it necessary to supply myself (if I
may borrow an expression from the language of State finance) with this
'forced loan.
Pages:
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204