Page 166 - 401_

165

Well, I was perfectly honest with her; told her I hadn't a cent in
the world but just the million-pound note she'd heard so much about,
and it didn't belong to me; and that started her curiosity, and then I
talked low, and told her the whole story right from the start, and it
nearly killed her, laughing. What she could find to laugh about, I
couldn't see. But I loved her even more, since she could be so
cheerful when there wasn't anything to be cheerful about; for I might
soon need that kind of wife, the way things looked. Of course I told
her we should have to wait a couple of years, till I could earn enough
to pay my debts. But she didn't mind that, only she hoped I would be
as careful as possible in the matter of expenses, and not make any
unnecessary debts. Then she began to get a little worried, and
wondered if I should get as large a salary as I expected the first year.
This gave me an idea.
"Portia, dear would you go with me that day, when I confront
those two gentlemen? You're so beautiful, and so lovely, and so
winning, that with you there I can ask for a high salary, and they'll
never have the heart to struggle!"
You should have seen her blush and her happy eyes shine!
That night, when we were at my parlour, Hastings told me his
story. Briefly, it was like this: he had come to England with what he
thought was a grand opportunity; he had an "option" to sell mine
stocks, and keep all he could get over a million dollars. He had
worked hard, he pulled every wire he knew of, had spent nearly all
the money he had in the world, had not been able to get a single
capitalist to listen to him, and his "option" would end in a forthnight.
In a word, he was ruined. Then he jumped up and cried out:
"Henry, you can save me! You can save me, and you're the
only man in the world that can. Will you do it?"
"Tell me how, my boy."
"Give me a million and my passage home for my "option".
Don't, don’t refuse!"
I nearly said: "Lloyd, I'm a pauper myself — absolutely
penniless, and in debt!" But an idea came into my head, and I calmed
myself down till I was as cold as a capitalist. Then I said, in a
commercial and self-possessed way:
"I will save you, Lloyd —"
"Then I'm already saved! Oh, how shall I thank you!"