He will most likely open his eyes,
and make some move before the whole sum is in his hands. If he does not,
I shall perhaps call at his bank, and draw a cheque for fourteen thousand
pounds. The wealthiest provincial banker does not keep such a sum
floating in his shop-tills. His commercial honour, the one
semi-chivalrous sentiment in his soul, would be in peril. He would yield,
and with grace: none the less readily that his house and his bank, which
have been long heavily mortgaged to our trustees, were made virtually
theirs by agreement yesterday (I set this on foot with twelve hours of
Mr. Iron's impertinent letter), and he will say to himself, 'She
can--post me, I think these people call it--this afternoon for not
cashing her cheque,, and she can turn me and my bank into the street
to-morrow:' and then, of course, he shall see by my manner the velvet paw
is offered as well as the claw. He is pretty sure to ask himself which
will suit the _ledger_ best--this cat's friendship and her fourteen
thousand pounds, or--an insulted mother's enmity?" And Mrs. Placid's
teeth made a little click just audible in the silent night
"Oh, mamma! my heart is sick.
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