“I will abate nothing,” rejoined the earl, haughtily. “I believe the jewels to be worth double the sum I have asked. You know full well that if I did not want the money for an especial purpose I would not part with them.”
“Yes, I am aware of that,” replied Ophir, “and I have so much respect for your lordship that I would strain a point to serve you. Though, from prudential reasons, I maintain the exterior of a Puritan, I am a Royalist at heart, and my sympathies are entirely with your party. I only lend money to Cavaliers, and always to those of good family.”
“Yes, I am aware of it. Sir Thomas Tyldesley has had a thousand pounds from you,” observed the earl. “’Twas he recommended you to me.”
“Sir Thomas is not the only one of your lordship’s friends I have served,” remarked Ophir. “Lord Molineux and Sir Gilbert Hoghton could tell you something if they chose.”
“I do not want to hear it,” said the earl. “They would have had no dealings with you, if they could have helped it. Neither would I.”
“Your lordship is mistaken in me,” rejoined Ophir. “I desire to deal honourably and fairly with you. I have come to Knowsley at your request, and have brought with me three thousand pounds in gold, wherewith to purchase certain diamonds, which your lordship values at double the sum, but which I feel sure will leave me small profit—if not entail loss. However, a bargain is a bargain, and I am content. You will find the exact amount in those bags.”
“Take not his word, my lord,” interposed Standish. “Let the money be counted. I am willing to undertake the task.”
“I can make no objection,” said the moneylender. “But if the sum be not correct, I will forfeit double the amount.”
“Trust him not, I repeat, my lord,” cried Standish. “Such fellows are not to be believed on oath.”
“Count it, then—count it!” cried Ophir angrily.
“I will,” replied Standish.
And untying the neck of one of the bags, he emptied half its glittering contents on the table.
“I leave the matter in your hands, Frank,” said the earl, rising. “I will send Randal Fermor to help you.”
With this, he quitted the cabinet, and proceeded to the great hall, where he found Don Fortunio and Engracia. His appearance did not cause them surprise, as they had been prepared for his arrival by Standish, but they were greatly pleased to see him.
Don Fortunio did not venture to make any inquiries which the earl might have been indisposed to answer, but he obtained the satisfactory assurance that Lathom House would soon be delivered from its assailants.
After some little time spent in converse, they walked out into the garden, as the earl was anxious to see how it looked, but they had not got beyond the terrace, when they were joined by Standish.
“Is the affair settled?” inquired the earl.
The young man replied in the affirmative, and added in a low tone to his lordship:
“The money was perfectly right, so I did the rascal an injustice. He has departed with his treasures, and I frightened him by saying he would certainly be robbed before he got to Liverpool.”
“You did wrong, Frank,” said the earl. “Should his fears be realised, he will think you hired the robbers.”
“Nay, for that matter, I feel half inclined to turn robber myself,” laughed Standish.
“You will be otherwise employed,” said the earl. “You must accompany me to Chester. I shall set out in an hour.”
“So soon, my lord?” cried the young man, gazing wistfully at Engracia.
“I have done all I came to do, and shall return without delay,” said the earl. “Where is Randal Fermor?”
“You will find him in your cabinet, my lord,” replied Standish. “I left him in charge of the money.”
The earl then re-entered the house, and proceeded to his cabinet, where he found the steward, who showed him the bags of money, and received his orders respecting them. They were to be carried by two of the troopers who had come with his lordship from Chester.
The hour had flown with inconceivable quickness as it seemed to Engracia and her lover, allowing scarce time enough, they thought, for a tender parting.
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