He entered one of the fashionable clubs, and
people began to say that he had had money left him. If any one of the
gentlemen who met him and touched his hand, had but known that he was
trading on a woman's secret, they would have thrashed him with less
remorse of conscience than if they were punishing a mad dog.
Then the third thousand was asked for, and Lady Atherton was at a loss
where or how to get it; her husband had already rallied her about the
large sums of money she spent, and she was obliged to have recourse to
means she disliked for procuring it.
CHAPTER XIII.
There came a day when Lady Atherton could no longer meet the demands
made upon her; the estate near Hanton was to be sold, and her husband
wished to purchase it.
"A little economy for one year," he said to his wife, "and we shall do
it easily. You will not mind being careful for one year, Marion?"
She told him, what was perfectly true, that she would deprive herself of
anything on earth for his sake. He laughed.
"There will not be much privation needed, for one who has spent three
thousand pounds in six months. I shall have to give my little wife some
lessons in economy."
It was hard, for on her own self she had not spent one shilling. Another
time she was greatly distressed what to say--her husband complained of
her dress.
"Marion," he said, "it seems absurd to say, but, my darling, you are
positively shabby--that is, for one in your position.
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