Then he told Annie about the Jacquard loom and Harry’s mastery of it, and when this subject was worn out, Annie told her husband that Jane was going to introduce Katherine to London society on the following Tuesday evening. She wanted to make it Wednesday evening, but “Josepha would not hear of it”--she said, with an air of injury, “and Josepha always gets what she desires.”
“Why shouldn’t Josepha get all she desires? When a woman hes a million pounds to give away beside property worth a fortune the world hes no more to give her but her awn way. I should think Josepha is one of the richest women in England.”
“However did the Admiral get so much money?”
“All prize money, Annie. Good, honest, prize money! The Admiral’s money was the price of his courage. He threshed England’s enemies for every pound of it; and when we were fighting Spain, Spanish galleons, loaded with Brazilian gold, were varry good paymasters even though Temple was both just and generous to his crews.”
“No wonder then, if Josepha be one of the richest women in England. Who is the richest man, Antony?”
“I am, Annie! I am! Thou art my wife and there is not gold enough in England to measure thy worth nor yet to have made me happy if I had missed thee.” What else could a wise and loving husband say?
In the meantime Katherine and Harry had been gladly received by Lady Jane, who at once asked Harry to stay and dine with them.
“What about my street suit?” asked Harry.
“We have a family dinner this evening and expect no one to join us. De Burg may probably call and he may bring his sister with him. However, Harry, you know your old room on the third floor. I will send Leyland’s valet there and he will manage to make you presentable.”
These instructions Harry readily obeyed, and soon as he had left the room Lady Jane asked--“Where did you pick him up, Kitty? He is quite a detrimental in father’s opinion, you know.”
“I picked him up in a weaving room in the locality called Spitalfields. He was working there on a Jacquard loom.”
“I am telling you facts, Jane. I will explain them later. Now I must go and dress for dinner, if you are expecting the De Burgs.”
“They will only pay an evening call, but make yourself as pretty as is proper for the occasion. If De Burg does not bring his sister you will not be expected to converse.”