Benjamin, with the sweetest
and wittiest of smiles, suggested that perhaps Miss Greystock was going to
be married. Lizzie, with a pretty maiden blush, admitted that such a
catastrophe was probable. She had been asked in marriage by Sir Florian
Eustace. Now Mr. Benjamin knew, as all the world knew, that Sir Florian
Eustace was a very rich man indeed; a man in no degree embarrassed, and
who could pay any amount of jewellers' bills for which claim might be made
upon him. Well, what did Miss Greystock want? Mr. Benjamin did not suppose
that Miss Greystock was actuated simply by a desire to have her old bills
paid by her future husband. Miss Greystock wanted a loan sufficient to
take the jewels out of pawn. She would then make herself responsible for
the full amount due. Mr. Benjamin said that he would make a few inquiries.
"But you won't betray me," said Lizzie, "for the match might be off." Mr.
Benjamin promised to be more than cautious.
There was not so much of falsehood as might have been expected in the
statement which Lizzie Greystock made to the jeweller. It was not true
that she was of age, and therefore no future husband would be legally
liable for any debt which she might then contract; and it was not true
that Sir Florian Eustace had asked her in marriage.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25