Читаем A Dangerous Fortune (1994) полностью

Hugh shook his head vigorously. Nothing annoyed him more than this kind of irresponsible talk. "We have no rights, only duties," he said emphatically. "We're entrusted with millions of pounds of other people's money. We can't do what we like: we have to do what we must."

Augusta tried another tack. "Edward is the son and heir."

"It's not a hereditary title!" Hugh said indignantly. "It goes to the most able."

It was Augusta's turn to be indignant. "Edward is as good as anyone!"

Hugh looked around the table, dramatically holding the gaze of each man for a moment before moving on. "Is there anyone here who will put his hand on his heart and say that Edward is the most able banker among us?"

No one spoke for a long minute.

Augusta said: "Edward's South American bonds have made a fortune for the bank."

Hugh nodded. "It's true that we have sold many millions of pounds' worth of South American bonds in the last ten years, and Edward has handled all that business. But it's dangerous money. People bought the bonds because they trust Pilasters. If one of those governments should default on interest payments, the price of all South American bonds will go through the floor--and Pilasters will be blamed. Because of Edward's success in selling South American bonds our reputation, which is our most precious asset, is now in the hands of a set of brutish despots and generals who can't read." Hugh found himself becoming emotional as he said this. He had helped to build up the reputation of the bank by his own brains and hard work, and it made him angry that Augusta was willing to jeopardize it.

"You sell North American bonds," Augusta said. "There's always a risk. That's what banking is about." She spoke triumphantly, as if she had caught him out.

"The United States of America has a modern democratic government, vast natural wealth and no enemies. Now that they've abolished slavery, there's no reason why the country shouldn't be stable for a hundred years. By contrast, South America is a collection of warring dictatorships that may not be the same for the next ten days. There is a risk in both cases, but in the north it's much smaller. Banking is about calculating risk."

"You're just envious of Edward--you always were," she said.