Out of your L500, nearly L400 went out at
once to pay arrears of Government taxation to save my property. Of the
remaining hundred I spent fifty in a fortnight on dinners and suppers
given to a gang of top-hatted scoundrels, who, I found subsequently, were
not worth a red cent. They hoped to fleece me in some way, and their very
association discredited me in the eyes of one or two honest men. Oh, I
have had a bad time of it, I can assure you!"
"Why did you not write to me again?"
He looked at her steadily before he explained:
"Because you are a woman."
"What has that got to do with it? I am your relative, and rich. How much
do you want? If your scheme is really sound, I imagine my solicitors might
sanction my co-operation."
Again he hesitated.
"Thank you, Rita. You are a good sort. But I am not here on a matter of
high finance. I want you to lend me, say, L250. I will return to the
Argentine, and take twenty years to accomplish what I could do in five
with the necessary capital."
"Come and see me in the morning. The sum you name is absurdly small, in
any case. Perhaps Mr. Brett will accompany you. His advice will be useful
to both of us. Come early. I leave here to-morrow."
"Going away! Where to?"
"To Whitby, in Yorkshire."
"Well, that is curious," said Robert, who clearly did not like to question
her about her husband.
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