What does she aspire to?'
'She's got a craze for fine furniture.'
'How long has she had it?'
'Only just now.'
The Baron seemed still more to experience regret.
'What furniture does she specially covet?' he asked.
'Silver candlesticks, work-tables, looking-glasses, gold tea-things,
silver tea-pots, gold clocks, curtains, pictures, and I don't know
what all--things I shall never get if I live to be a hundred--not so
much that I couldn't raise the money to buy 'em, as that to put it to
other uses, or save it for a rainy day.'
'You think the possession of those articles would make her happy?'
'I really think they might, my lord.'
'Good. Open your pocket-book and write as I tell you.'
Jim in some astonishment did as commanded, and elevating his pocket-
book against the garden-wall, thoroughly moistened his pencil, and
wrote at the Baron's dictation:
'Pair of silver candlesticks: inlaid work-table and work-box: one
large mirror: two small ditto: one gilt china tea and coffee
service: one silver tea-pot, coffee-pot, sugar-basin, jug, and dozen
spoons: French clock: pair of curtains: six large pictures.'
'Now,' said the Baron, 'tear out that leaf and give it to me. Keep a
close tongue about this; go home, and don't be surprised at anything
that may come to your door.'
'But, my noble lord, you don't mean that your lordship is going to
give--'
'Never mind what I am going to do.
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