Mrs. Carbuncle's investigations as to the quality of the
metal quite won Mr. Harter's respect; and it will probably be thought that
she exacted no more than justice--seeing that the thing had become a
matter of bargain--in demanding that the thirty-five pounds should be
stretched to fifty, because the things were bought on long credit. "My
dear Lizzie," Mrs. Carbuncle said, "the dear girl won't have an ounce more
than she would have got, had you gone into another sort of shop with
thirty-five sovereigns in your hand." Lizzie growled, but Mrs. Carbuncle's
final argument was conclusive. "I'll tell you what we'll do," said she;
"we'll take thirty pounds down in ready money." There was no answer to be
made to so reasonable a proposition.
The presents to be made to Lucinda were very much thought of in Hertford
Street at this time, and Lizzie--independently of any feeling that she
might have as to her own contribution--did all she could to assist the
collection of tribute. It was quite understood that as a girl can be
married only once--for a widow's chance in such matters amounts to but
little--everything should be done to gather toll from the tax-payers of
society.
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