"If you sold your right, you sold it," she said, coldly; "it was a
strange thing to do, but then you turn every thing into money."
But to Elizabeth and Richard he manifested no ill-will. "Both of them
might yet be of service to him;" for Antony was inclined to regard
every one as a tool, which, for some purpose or other, he might want
in the future.
He went back to London an anxious and disappointed man. There was also
in the disappointment an element of humiliation. A large proportion
of his London friends were unaware of his true position; and when,
naturally enough, he was congratulated on his supposed accession to
the Hallam property, he was obliged to decline the honor. There was
for a few days a deal of talk in the clubs and exchanges on the
subject, and many suppositions which were not all kindly ones. Such
gossip in a city lasts but a week; but, unfortunately, the influence is
far more abiding. People ceased to talk of the Hallam succession, but
they remembered it, if brought into business contact with Antony, and
it doubtless affected many a transaction.
In country places a social scandal is more permanent and more
personally bitter. Richard could not remain many days ignorant of the
dislike with which he was regarded. Even Lord Eltham, in this matter,
had taken Antony's part.
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