Turlington went into the house.
"Have you lost any money?" Those were the first words uttered by Sir
Joseph when he and Richard met again, after the parting on board the
yacht.
"Not a farthing. I might have lost seriously, if I had not got back in
time to set things straight. Stupidity on the part of my people left in
charge--nothing more. It's all right now."
Sir Joseph lifted his eyes, with heartfelt devotion, to the ceiling.
"Thank God, Richard!" he said, in tones of the deepest feeling. He rang
the bell. "Tell Miss Graybrooke Mr. Turlington is here." He turned again
to Richard. "Lavinia is like me--Lavinia has been so anxious about you.
We have both of us passed a sleepless night." Miss Lavinia came in. Sir
Joseph hurried to meet her, and took her affectionately by both hands.
"My dear! the best of all good news, Richard has not lost a farthing."
Miss Lavinia lifted _her_ eyes to the ceiling with heartfelt devotion,
and said, "Thank God, Richard!"--like the echo of her brother's voice;
a little late, perhaps, for its reputation as an echo, but accurate to
half a note in its perfect repetition of sound.
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