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your great- grandfathers money difficulties were privatelosses at cards, or signing a note for somebodyI never quite knew, because Mamma would never speak of it. But she was brought up in the country because her mother had to leave New York after the disgrace, whatever it was: they lived up the Hudson alone, winter and summer, till Mamma was sixteen. It would never have occurred to Grandmamma Spicer to ask the family to countenance her, as I understand Regina calls it; though a private disgrace is nothing compared to the scandal of ruining hundreds of innocent people. Yes, it would be more becoming in Regina to hide her own countenance than to talk about other peoples, Mrs. Lovell Mingott agreed. I understand that the emerald necklace she wore at the Opera last Friday had been sent on approval from Ball and Blacks in the afternoon. I wonder if theyll ever get it back? Archer listened unmoved to the relentless chorus. The idea of absolute financial probity as the first law of a gentlemans code was too deeply ingrained in him for sentimental considerations to weaken it. An adventurer like Lemuel Struthers might build up the millions of his Shoe Polish on any number of shady dealings; but unblemished honesty was the noblesse oblige of old financial New York. Nor did Mrs. Beauforts fate greatly move Archer. He felt, no doubt, more sorry for her than her indignant relatives; but it seemed to him that the tie between husband and wife, even if breakable in prosperity, should be indissoluble in misfortune. As Mr. Letterblair had said, a wifes place was at her husbands side when he was in trouble; but societys place was not at his side, and Mrs. Beauforts cool assumption that it was seemed almost to make her his accomplice. The mere idea of a womans appealing to her family to screen her husbands business dishonour was inadmissible, since it was the one thing that the Family, as an institution, could not do. The mulatto maid called Mrs. Lovell Mingott into the hall, and the latter came back in a moment with a frowning brow. She wants me to telegraph for Ellen Olenska. I had written to Ellen, of course, and to Medora; but now it seems thats not enough. Im to telegraph to her immediately, and to tell her that shes to come alone. The announcement was received in silence. Mrs. Welland sighed resignedly, and May rose from her seat and went to gather up some newspapers that had been scattered on the floor. I suppose it must be done, Mrs. Lovell Mingott continued, as if hoping to be contradicted; and May turned back toward the middle of the room. Of course it must be done, she said. Granny knows what she wants, and we must carry out all her wishes. Shall I write the telegram for you, Auntie? If it goes at once Ellen can probably catch tomorrow mornings train. She pronounced the syllables of the name with a peculiar clearness, as if she had tapped on two silver bells. Well, it cant go at once. Jasper and the pantry-boy are both out with notes and telegrams. May turned to her husband with a smile. But heres Newland, ready to do anything. Will you take the telegram, Newland? Therell be just time before luncheon. Archer rose with a murmur of readiness, and she seated herself at old Catherines rosewood Bonheur du Jour, and wrote out the message in her large immature hand. When it was written she blotted it neatly and handed it to Archer. What a pity, she said, that you and Ellen will cross each other on the way!Newland, she added, turning to her mother and aunt, is obliged to go to Washington about a patent law-suit that is coming up before the Supreme Court. I suppose Uncle Lovell will be back by tomorrow night, and with Granny improving so much it doesnt seem right to ask Newland to give up an important engagement for the firmdoes it? |
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