— XXX —THE VULTURES GATHER
Christmas drew near. The preparations which were being made at Dene Park for the return of the bride and bridegroom had been the talk of all the countryside. The old house had been glorified. For, while it was understood that no money was to be spared, instructions had been given that there should be no display of truculent taste – that there should be nothing to suggest the mushroom millionaire.
“I want the house to be a gentleman’s, not merely an illustration of the power of money-bags.”
So Mr. Smithers had said; and he had been careful to place matters in the hands of persons by whom he knew his wishes would be observed. Mr. Glasspoole, looking on, was a little mystified by some of the things which were being done.
“There isn’t a bit of new furniture being
