The million pound banknote

In less than twenty-four hours all London was talking! I hadn't anything to do, day after day, but sit at home and say to everyone who asked 'Yes; I told him to use my name. I know the man, and I know the mine. The man is completely honest and reliable, and the mine is worth much more money than he asks for it.'

In the meantime I spent all my evenings at the ambassador's with Portia. I didn't say a word to her about the mine; I saved it for a surprise. We talked about my salary; never anything but salary and love; sometimes love, sometimes salary, sometimes love and salary together. The ambassador's wife and daughter took great interest in our little love affair. They kept finding clever ways for us to be alone together. And they kept the ambassador in the dark so he had no idea what was going on. Well, it was just lovely of them!

When at last the month had finished, I had a million dollars in my bank account in the London and County Bank. Hastings had the same. I dressed in my best clothes and drove by the house in Portland Place. I judged by the look of the house that the people I wanted were home again. Therefore I went on to the ambassador's and got my precious Portia. We returned to Portland place, talking salary with all our might. She was excited and worried, and it made her more beautiful than I could stand.