But I'm glad you have spoken, for I can now talk confidentially with you, and as you and she are both in the same ventures, perhaps she will feel less compunction in hearing from you--as your own opinion--what I have to tell you than if I spoke to her myself.

I am afraid she trusts implicitly to Van Loo's judgment as her broker.

I believe he is strictly honorable, but the general opinion of his business insight is not high.
They--perhaps I ought to say HE--have been at least so unlucky that they might have learned prudence.

The loss of twenty thousand dollars in three months"-- "Twenty thousand!" echoed Mrs.Horncastle.
"Yes.

Why, you knew that; it was in the mine you and she visited; or, perhaps," he added hastily, as he flushed at his indiscretion, "she didn't tell you that." But Mrs.Horncastle as hastily said, "Yes--yes--of course, only I had forgotten the amount;" and he continued:-- "That loss would have frightened any man; but you women are more daring.
Only Van Loo ought to have withdrawn.