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news, recorded in the flood of papers and reviews that appeared in Brook Street, to the prices of shares and consols and the general tide in the economic interests of the nation. For her part. Aunt Seraphina was highly gratified by her niece's increasing enthusiasm. Knowing how poor a man of affairs the marquess had been, she had a fair idea of the dire financial straits in which he had left his daughter, and the few comments that Diana had inadvertently let fall had given her shrewd companion an accurate picture of Diana's precarious economic situation. Lady Walden wanted desperately to help the girl, but knowing Diana's proud and independent spirit, she had been at a loss as to how to go about it, until one early morning discussion of Lady Walden's business with the stock exchange had revealed her niece's eagerness to learn more about what many considered to be a highly speculative, disreputable, and even diabolical way of improving one's finances.
    Now her path was clear to Seraphina. If Diana would not accept outright gifts of money, she was more than willing to 44
    The Willful Widow
    by Evelyn Richardson
    accept advice, and Seraphina had set about teaching her all she knew. Diana was a quick and keen pupil, and in no time at all had mastered her lessons well enough to accompany her aunt in one of her discreet visits to the Stock Exchange. There Diana had purchased her own shares in the consols, which had then risen in a most satisfactory fashion while still paying out at three percent. This was all the more gratifying, as agricultural prices, which heretofore had been her only source of income, had fallen wretchedly.
    Thus rewarded for her first tentative efforts, the young widow had plunged herself earnestly into study of the finer points of finance, intent on recouping her fortunes and restoring Buckland to its former state of elegance. Soon, Lady Diana Hatherill's heavily veiled figure became as well-known in the 'Change as was Lady Walden's, and her growing acuity almost as respected by the hardheaded men of affairs, who flourished there, as Lady Walden's.
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    45
    The Willful Widow
    by Evelyn Richardson

Chapter 5
    "What would not do," Aunt Seraphina reiterated, abruptly emerging from her reverie as Diana began furiously pacing the floor, Boney clinging to her shoulder for dear life as she made ever increasing turns about the room.
    " I would not do," Diana muttered savagely. " I would not do for the Earl of Winterbourne's precious son and heir, as though the Bucklands hadn't been landholders centuries before those mushrooms began their toadying rise to the top. There is nothing I have to apologize for in my lineage." She halted her angry perambulations long enough to glare fiercely at her reflection in the looking glass.
    "No," her aunt agreed, "but then, you do not set any store by such things in the first place," she continued mildly, her eyes twinkling.
    "No I do not." Her niece sighed ruefully as she sank into a chair. "And if that ... that man hadn't put me in such a passion, I shouldn't even have thought of it. It's just that it's so unfair. I don't even want Reginald, but he will keep coming around. He is always so eager that denying oneself to him is rather like kicking a hopeful puppy. And after all, he is a good lad, if a trifle prosy, and a perfectly unexceptionable escort for two such widow ladies as ourselves. But it could never be claimed that he is the world's most stimulating companion. He does his best, poor boy, and it is entirely to his credit that he pursues his studies so assiduously. He is just not what one would call a formidable intellect. However, at the very least, 46
    The Willful Widow
    by Evelyn Richardson
    he has more to contribute to a conversation than the cut of his coat or the way he ties his cravat. Now to be informed that I am bringing about his ruination ... Oh, it is beyond all bearing!" Diana leapt up and began pacing again.
    "Never say so, my dear!" her