"Yes, I have. I've done my best to try. I put it out of my mind for a fortnight and wouldn't think of her. I had a bottle of champagne every day at dinner and then went to the theatre. But it was all of no use. I have set my heart on it and I can't give her up. I'll tell you what I'd like to do. I'd like to give her a diamond necklace.""It wouldn't be the slightest use," said Sir Thomas, shaking his head.
"Why not? It's what other men do. I mean it to be something handsome -- about three hundred pounds.""That's a large sum of money for a necklace.""Some of them cost a deal more than that.""And you'd only throw away your money."
"If she took it, she'd take me too. If she didn't -- why I should still have the diamonds. I mean to try any way.""Then it's of no use your coming to me."
"I thought you'd let me have the money. It's no good running into debt for them. And then if you'd add something of your own -- a locket, or something of that kind -- I think it would have an effect. I have seen a necklace at Ricolay's, and if I could pay ready money for it I could have twenty percent off it. The price named is three hundred guineas. That would make it L#2545s. L#250 would buy it if the cheque was offered."There was a spirit about the son which was not displeasing to the father. That idea that the gift, if accepted, would be efficacious, or if not that it would be rejected -- so that Tom would not lose his hopes and his diamonds together -- seemed to be sound.
Sir Thomas, therefore, promised the money, with the distinct understanding that if the gift were not accepted by Ayala it should be consigned to his own hands. But as for any present from himself, he felt that this would not be the time for it.
He had called upon his niece and solicited her himself, and she had been deaf to his words. After that he could not condescend to send her gifts. "Should she become my promised daughter-in-law then I would send her presents," said Sir Thomas.
The poor man certainly received less pleasure from his wealth than was credited to him by those who knew his circumstances.
Yet he endeavoured to be good to those around him, and especially good to his children. There had been present to him ever since the beginning of his successes -- ever since his marriage --a fixed resolution that he would not be a curmudgeon with his money, that he would endeavour to make those happy who depended on him, and that he would be liberal in such settlements for his children as might be conducive to their happiness and fortunes in life. In this way he had been very generous to Mr Traffick.
The man was a Member of Parliament, the son of a peer, and laborious.
Why should he expect more? Money was wanting, but he could supply the money. So he had supplied it, and had been content to think that a good man should be propped up in the world by his means.
What that had come to the reader knows. He thoroughly detested his son-in-law, and would have given much to have had his money back again -- so that Mr Traffick should have had no share in it.
Then there was his second daughter! What should be done with Gertrude? The money should be forthcoming for her too if the fitting man could be found. But he would have nothing further to do with a penniless lover, let his position in the world of fashion, or even in the world of politics, be what it might.
The man should either have wealth of his own, or should be satisfied to work for it. Houston had been unfortunate in the moment of his approaches. Sir Thomas had been driven by his angry feelings to use hard, sharp words, and now was forced to act up to his words. He declared roughly that Mr Houston should not have a shilling of his money -- as he had certainly been justified for doing; and his daughter, who had always been indulged in every kind of luxury, had at once concocted a plot for running away from her home! As he thought of the plot it seemed to be wonderful to him that she should be willing to incur such a danger -- to be ready without a penny to marry a penniless man -- till he confessed to himself that, were she to do so, she would certainly have the money sooner or later. He was capable of passion, capable of flying out and saying a very severe thing to Septimus Traffick or another when his temper was hot; but he was incapable of sustained wrath. He was already aware that if Mr Traffick chose to stay he would stay -- that if Mr Houston were brave enough to be persistent he might have both the money and the girl. As he thought of it all he was angry with himself, wishing that he were less generous, less soft, less forgiving.
