Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

"There is, and it is quite irrational," Hobbes admitted. "Our merchants, manufacturers and bankers are responsible for the nation's prosperity, much more so than landowners and clergymen; yet it is the latter who are ennobled for their services to the nation, while the men who really make and do things are overlooked."

"You should write an article about the question. It is the kind of cause for which your journal has campaigned in the past--the modernization of our ancient institutions." She gave him her warmest smile. Her cards were on the table now. He could hardly fail to see that this campaign was the price he had to pay for the company directorships she was offering. Would he stiffen, look offended, and beg to differ? Would he walk out in a huff? Would he smile and turn her down gracefully? If he did any of those things she would have to start all over again with someone else.

There was a long pause, then he said: "Perhaps you're right."

Augusta relaxed.

"Perhaps we should take this up," he went on. "Closer links between commerce and government."

"Peerages for businessmen," Augusta said.

"And company directorships for journalists," he added.

Augusta sensed that they had gone as far as they could in the direction of frankness, and it was time to pull back. If it were admitted that she was bribing him he might be humiliated and refuse. She was well satisfied with what she had achieved, and she was about to change the subject when more guests arrived and she was saved the trouble.

The rest of the party arrived in a bunch, and Joseph appeared at the same time. A few moments later Hastead came in and said: "Dinner is served, sir," and Augusta longed to hear him say my lord instead of sir.

They walked from the drawing room through the hall to the dining room. The rather short procession bothered Augusta. In aristocratic houses there was often a long and very elegant walk to the dining room, and it was a high point of the dinner-party ritual. The Pilasters traditionally scorned to copy upper-class manners, but Augusta felt differently. To her this house seemed irredeemably suburban. But she had failed to persuade Joseph to move.