"You will live in London?" asked Otway.
"That isn't settled. It would be nice to go abroad again. We liked
Geneva."
"I must tell you about a Swiss friend of mine," Piers resumed. "A
man you would like; the best, jolliest, most amusing fellow I ever
met; his name is Moncharmont. He is in business at Odessa. There was
talk of his coming to England with me, but we put it off; another
time. He's a man who does me good; but for him, I shouldn't have
held on."
"Then you don't like it, after all?" asked Mrs. Hannaford.
"Like it? No. But I have stuck to it--partly for very shame, as
you know. I've stuck to it hard, and it's getting too late to think
of anything else. I have plans; I'll tell you."
These plans were laid open when tea had been served in the little
sitting-room. Piers had it in mind to start an independent business,
together with his friend Moncharmont; one of them to live in Russia,
one in London.
"My father has promised the money. He promised it three years ago. I
might have had it when I liked; but I should have been ashamed to
ask till a reasonable time had gone by. It won't be a large capital,
but Moncharmont has some, and putting it together, we shall manage
to start, I think."
He paused, watching the effect of his announcement. Mrs. Hannaford
was radiant with pleasure; Olga looked amused.
"Why do you laugh?" Piers asked, turning to the girl.
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