The Banker's Wife

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1843 edition. Excerpt: ... sure to snap it up; and now, he writes word, the people at Ovington look upon it as already gone--so sure are they that you'll overbid Lord Vernon." "They will prove mistaken," said Hamlyn, gravely. "I should not consider it justifiable to make the purchase." "Then I think you'll live to repent it when 'tis too late, and you find Lord Vernon growing up like a grain of mustard-seed under your nose, with all the Barlows of Alderham roosting in his branches!--Barlow is looking out for a farm to enable that cub of a son of his to prove what deuced bad farmers, what he calls 'a country family, ' can produce!"-- "However sorely tempted, I feel it my duty to forbear," still persisted the banker. "What! when the thing takes the form of a profitable investment? Why you know very well how difficult it is, now-a-days, to get even four per cent, for money; and if Robson's estimate be correct, Durdan's farm, even at the price named, will bring five! In a month or so, I shall be having one hundred and fifteen thousand pounds thrown upon my hands, (if Moonjee and Company are true to their engagements, ) and then you'll be telling me that, instead of the six per cent, my friends at Chinderapore have hitherto secured me, I might whistle for five!--However, don't let me detain you, with my Ovington news! Go, and settle Lydia's business for her!--Go and lay down the faggots on your line of road, and leave Mrs. Hamlyn and me to chat about what concerns us more than dot-and-cany A glance which followed the direction of Colonel Hamilton's eyes at that moment exhibited to Richard Hamlyn the face of his wife, as pale as ashes, --though inclined over the plate in which she was unconsciously smashing an egg-shell with a gold egg-spoon into the aspect of a choice bit...