Will you say the fourth part, Richard, instead of the half?
Twenty thousand," pleaded Sir Joseph, piteously. "I can bear twenty
thousand off. For God's sake don't ask me for more!"
The lips of the lawyer twisted themselves sourly into an ironical smile.
He was quite as fond of his money as Sir Joseph. He ought to have felt
for his client; but rich men have no sympathy with one another. Mr.
Dicas openly despised Sir Joseph.
There was a pause. The robin-redbreasts in the shrubbery outside must
have had prodigious balances at their bankers; they hopped up on the
window-sill so fearlessly; they looked in with so little respect at the
two rich men.
"Don't keep me in suspense, Richard," proceeded Sir Joseph. "Speak out.
Is it yes or no?"
Turlington struck his hand excitedly on the table, and burst out on a
sudden with the answer which had been so strangely delayed.
"Twenty thousand with all my heart!" he said. "On this condition,
Graybrooke, that every farthing of it is settled on Natalie, and on her
children after her.
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