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The second call came only moments after he had put the phone down on his sister

‘At last,’ said a peremptory voice, as if it were soht also wish to speak to him

‘Goodthe voice ‘How nice to hear from you’

‘It’s about the letter I received this ’

‘Yes, I thought it ht be,’ said Cornelius

‘It’s just, well, I wanted to confirm the value of the table – the Louis XIV piece – and, while I’ to the Earl of Bute’

‘If you go to the auction house, Elizabeth, they will give you a catalogue, which tells you the high and low estimate for every item in the sale’

‘I see,’ said Elizabeth She rearet will be bidding for either of those pieces?’

‘I have no idea,’ replied Cornelius ‘But it was Margaret as blocking the line when you were trying to get through, and she asked ive her a call’ Another long silence ‘By the way, Elizabeth, you do realise that you can only bid for one item?’

‘Yes, it says as much in the letter,’ replied his sister-in-law tartly

‘I only ask because I always thought Hugh was interested in the chess set’

‘Oh no, I don’t think so,’ said Elizabeth Cornelius wasn’t in any doubt ould be doing the bidding on behalf of that fa

‘Well, good luck,’ said Cornelius ‘And don’t forget the 15 per cent commission,’ he added as he put the phone down

~

Ti to attend the auction, as he wanted to pick up a little memento of The Willows and his uncle and aunt