Mr. Darcy's Daughters Read Online Free PDF Page A

county for landowners. I heard they have found rich mineral deposits on his land.”
    “I believe so.”
    He turned amused eyes on her. “We cannot all be so fortunate as your husband, Mrs. Gardiner; we do not all have the Midas touch and must rely on our land to bring us what wealth it can.”
    “Midas touch! I hope not. Now, that gentleman there, he truly has the ability to make everything he touches turn to gold.”
    Sir Sidney Leigh’s gaze drifted over the ruddy-complexioned man sitting across from them, his attention on the lady beside him; from the snatches of conversation that could be heard, they were talking about turtles. “Pagoda Portal,” he said. “Yes, indeed, one of the richest men in England. But is he a happy man, Mrs. Gardiner, can you tell me that?”
    Mrs. Gardiner was laughing. “No, he is not, for he is in love with that strange woman, Mrs. Rowan, and she will not have him, however much he is worth.”
    “A woman of character, to turn away from such a fortune.”
    “She has a fortune of her own, now her husband is dead.”
    “Perhaps she cares more for a man’s face than his fortune. One could not describe Portal as a handsome man.”
    “You wrong him; he has an amiable appearance; indeed, many women would consider him a well-looking man.”
    “That, my dear Mrs. Gardiner, is because a man’s looks are measured by the depth of his pockets.”
    “It is not the case, however, with Mrs. Rowan. She only declares she will never submit to the oppressive yoke of marriage again. Her words, not mine, Sir Sidney; I should never describe marriage as oppressive.”
    “You would not? I think many men find it so, and women have even more reason to find that what they hoped would be connubial felicity turns out to be a bed of nails.”
    Mrs. Gardiner cried out at this. “Shame on you, Sir Sidney, for such cynicism.”
    “Let me sit next to your Miss Darcy when we gather for tea. I am well acquainted with her father, you know, and I dare say she will be glad to talk about him. Grave young ladies are always eager to talk about their fathers. Her sister does not look like a woman who wants to talk about her father. I shall leave her to the younger men. She seems to be getting on capitally well with Mr. Layard; I never saw him look so amused.”
    “Camilla has a pretty wit.”
    “In that case, I’m right to prefer Miss Gravity; the Lord save me from a witty woman.”
     
    “Tell me,” Camilla whispered to Mr. Layard, who was sitting on her other side, “why do they call Mr. Portal, Pagoda Portal? It seems such an extraordinary name.”
    “Ah,” he said, “you could not have come to a better person for information. The pagoda, you know, is a gold coin from India. It is so called from its shape, which resembles the leaf of the pagoda tree. Mr. Portal has made an immense fortune in India, and so earned himself this nickname. He has bought land and built himself a fine house, called Pagoda Place—he has a sense of humour, as you can tell—and gone into Parliament. What is surprising about him is that he is a Radical! Now, what do you think of that?”
    “Is it not unusual for a rich man to have Radical views?”
    “Unusual for any man of sense to have Radical views. I suspect my friend Wytton there of having Radical views; he is always talking about reform, but he denies Radicalism.”
    “I should hope so. Are not the Radicals very dangerous? Are they not for ever stirring up riots and disturbances?”
    “With Mr. Portal, it is all theory; I believe he draws the line at actual riots. I shall introduce you after dinner; you will like to talk to him about India. He knows a great deal about that country, he’s always prosing on about it, but I dare say you may find it interesting. Ladies are always enchanted by the idea of India.”
    The covers were removed and the dessert set on the table. As the servants left the room and the level of conversation rose, she felt she could risk a question