The million pound banknote

I was in a kind of agony. I was right on the point of coming out with the words, 'Lloyd, I'm a pauper myself - absolutely penniless, and in debt!' But a white-hot idea came flaming through my head, and I gripped my jaws together, and calmed myself down till I was as cold as a capitalist. Then I said, in a commercial and self-possessed way

'I will save you, but in a way that would be fair to you, after your hard work, and the risks you've run. I don't need to buy mines; I can keep my capital moving, in a commercial center like London, without that. It's what I'm at, all the time; but here is what I'll do. I know all about that mine, of course. I know its immense value, and can swear to it if anybody wishes it. You shall sell out inside of the fortnight for three million cash, using my name freely, and we'll divide, share and share alike.'

Do you know, he would have danced the furniture to kindling in his insane joy, and broken everything on the place, if I hadn't tripped him up and tied him. Then he lay there, perfectly happy, saying

I may use your name! Your name - think of it! Man, they'll flock in droves, these rich Londoners; they'll fight for that stock! I'm a made man, I'm a made man forever, and I'll never forget you as long as I live!"

Vocabulary:

Agony: Great pain
On the point of: Just about to do something
Pauper: Poor person, having to money
Self-possessed: In control of one's emotions
Capital: The money you have available for investment
Immense: Very big
Share and share alike: I share with you, you share with me
Kindling: Small bits of wood used to start a fire
Droves: Large numbers
A made man: Someone whose life is sorted out