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If the place had seemed to listen, the gentleman with the green tie took it up. “Fifty thousand pound!” A lady echoed. “Fifty thousand!” But Prodmore caught it loudest. “Fifty thousand—fifty thousand!” He indicated Yule. “He’ll never part with the dear old home!”
Mrs. Gracedew matched his confidence. “Then I’ll go over it again while I have the chance.” She dropped into the housekeeper, addressing the party. “We now pass to the grand staircase.” She gathered her band, but heard herself sharply challenged by Yule, who had been attentive and impenetrable. “Please let them pass without you!”
“And stay here with you?”
“If you’ll be so good. I want to speak to you.” Turning to Chivers, he frowned on the party. “For God’s sake, remove them!”
The old man fluttered forward. “We now pass to the grand staircase.”
They passed, Chivers covering the ascent as a shepherd scales a hillside; but Cora Prodmore, standing beyond Yule, moved quickly round to Mrs. Gracedew. “Mrs. Gracedew, may I speak to you?”
Her father took up the place. “After Captain Yule, my dear. You must make the most of the opportunity of the others!” He waved her toward the stairs, but she renewed her effort. “She’ll help me, I think, papa!”
“That’s exactly what strikes me! But I’ll help you too!” He gave her a push proportioned to his authority, and while Yule turned away, he laid a hand of commanding significance on Mrs. Gracedew’s arm. “Just pile it on!”
Her attention came back. “He doesn’t like it?”
“Not half enough. Bring him round.”
Her eyes rested on Yule, who had fidgeted away to the open doorway. “I’ll bring him round.”
But Cora, pausing half-way up, sent down another entreaty. “Mrs. Gracedew, will you see me?”
The charming woman looked at her watch. “In ten minutes,” she smiled back.
Prodmore looked at his own. “You could put him through in five—but I’ll allow you twenty.” He decisively hustled his daughter on. Mrs. Gracedew kissed after her a hand of vague comfort.
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