“After all,” said Dunn, generously, “let us remember that I am not a fair judge in my own cause. Others have taken, it may be, another reading of my character; they may deem me narrow-minded, selfish, and ambitious. My very success--I am not going to deny it has been great--may have provoked its share of enmity. Why, the very vastness and extent of my projects were a sort of standing reproach to petty speculators and small scheme-mongers.” “So that it has really come upon you unawares?” said the Earl, reverting to his former remark. “Completely so, my Lord. The tranquil ease and happiness I have enjoyed under this roof--the first real holiday in a long life of toil--are the best evidences I can offer how little I could have anticipated such a stroke.” “Still I fervently hope it will not prove more than inconvenience,” said he, feelingly. “Not even so much, my Lord, as regards money. I cannot believe that the movement will be general. There is no panic in the country, rents are paid, prices remunerating, markets better than we have seen them for years; the sound sense and intelligence of the people will soon detect in this attack the prompting of some personal malice. In all likelihood a few thousands will meet the whole demand.” “I am so glad to hear you say so!” said Lady Augusta, smiling. “Really, when I think of all our persuasions to detain you here, I never could acquit us of some sort of share in any disaster your delay might have occasioned.” “Oh, Dunn would never connect his visit here with such consequences, I 'm certain,” said the Earl. “Assuredly not, my Lord,” said he; and as his eyes met those of Lady Augusta, he grew red, and felt confused. “Are your people--your agents and men of business, I mean,” said the Earl--“equal to such an emergency as the present, or will they have to look to _you_ for guidance and direction?” “Merely to meet the demand for gold is a simple matter, my Lord,” said Dunn, “and does not require any effort of mind or forethought. To prevent the back-water of this rushing flood submerging and engulfing other banking-houses; to defend, in a word, the lines of our rivals and enemies; to save from the consequences of their recklessness the very men who have assailed us,--these are weighty cares!” “And are you bound in honor to take this trouble in their behalf?” “No, my Lord, not in honor any more than in law, but bound by the debt we owe to that commercial community by whose confidence we have acquired fortune. My position at the head of the great industrial movement in this country imposes upon me the great responsibility that 'no injury should befall the republic' Against the insane attacks of party hate, factious violence, or commercial knavery, I am expected to do my duty, nay, more, I am expected to be provided with means to meet whatever emergency may arise,--defeat this scheme, expose that, denounce the other. Am I wrong in calling these weighty cares?”