In the old days at
Combe-Raven, five-and-twenty pounds flowed from a stroke of her father's
pen into the hands of any one in the house who chose to ask for it.
Captain Wragge's eyes dwelt on the little bag as the eyes of lovers
dwell on their mistresses. "Happy bag!" he murmured, as she put it back
in her bosom. He rose; dived into a corner of the room; produced
his neat dispatch-box; and solemnly unlocked it on the table between
Magdalen and himself.
"The nature of the man, my dear girl--the nature of the man," he said,
opening one of his plump little books bound in calf and vellum. "A
transaction has taken place between us. I must have it down in black and
white." He opened the book at a blank page, and wrote at the top, in
a fine mercantile hand: _"Miss Vanstone, the Younger: In account with
Horatio Wragge, late o f the Royal Militia. Dr.--Cr. Sept. 24th, 1846.
Dr.: To estimated value of H. Wragge's interest in Miss V.'s first
year's salary--say--200 pounds. Cr. By paid on account, 25 pounds."_
Having completed the entry--and having also shown, by doubling his
original estimate on the Debtor side, that Magdalen's easy compliance
with his demand on her had not been thrown away on him--the captain
pressed his blotting-paper over the wet ink, and put away the book
with the air of a man who had done a virtuous action, and who was above
boasting about it.
Pages:
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387