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and mortgaged； generally simultaneous operations with this great
operator； as soon as he had 〃inventoried〃 half a million。 It was a sort of
patent of nobility to live in Broadway； and the acquisition of such a
residence was like the purchase of a marquiseta in Italy。 When Eudosia
was fairly in possession of a hundred…dollar pocket…handkerchief； the
great seal might be said to be attached to the document that was to
elevate the Halfacres throughout all future time。
｛marquiseta = presumably the residence or palace of a Marquis｝
Now the beautiful Eudosiafor beautiful； and even lovely； this glorious…
looking creature was； in spite of a very badly modulated voice； certain
inroads upon the fitness of things in the way of expression； and a want
of a knowledge of the finesse of fine lifenow the beautiful Eudosia had
an intimate friend named Clara Caverly； who was as unlike her as
possible； in character； education； habits； and appearance； and yet who
was firmly her friend。 The attachment was one of childhood and
accidentthe two girls having been neighbors and school…fellows until
they had got to like each other； after the manner in which young people
form such friendships； to wear away under the friction of the world； and
the pressure of time。 Mr。 Caverly was a lawyer of good practice； fair
reputation； and respectable family。 His wife happened to be a lady from
her cradle； and the daughter had experienced the advantage of as great
a blessing。 Still Mr。 Caverly was what the world of New York； in 1832；
called poor； that is to say； he had no known bank…stock； did not own a
lot on the island； was director of neither bank nor insurance company；
and lived in a modest two…story house； in White street。 It is true his
practice supported his family； and enabled him to invest in bonds and
mortgages two or three thousand a…year； and he owned the fee of some
fifteen or eighteen farms in Orange county； that were falling in from
three…lives leases； and which had been in his family ever since the
seventeenth century。 But； at a period of prosperity like that which
prevailed in 1832； 3； 4； 5； and 6； the hereditary dollar was not worth
more than twelve and a half cents； as compared with the 〃inventoried〃
dollar。 As there is something； after all； in a historical name； and the
Caverleys ＇sic＇ still had the best of it； in the way of society； Eudosia was
permitted to continue the visits in White street； even after her own family
were in full possession in Broadway； and Henry Halfacre； Esq。； had got
to be enumerated among the Manhattan nabobs。 Clara Caverly was in
Broadway when Honor O'Flagherty arrived with me； out of breath； in
consequence of the shortness of her legs； and the necessity of making
up for lost time。
｛owned the fee。。。falling in from three…life leases = i。e。； Mr。 Caverly
owned farms in Orange County that had been leased out for long
periods （the lives of three persons named at the moment the lease was
granted） but which were now about to revert to himsuch long…term
leases； in the Hudson Valley； led to the so…called anti…rent war that was
breaking out at the time Cooper wrote this book； twelve and a half
cents = an English shilling； still often used in conversation in America；
nabobs = rich men （usually businessmen of recent affluence）｝
〃There； Miss Dosie；〃 cried the exulting housemaid； for such was
Honor's domestic rank； though preferred to so honorable and
confidential a mission〃There； Miss Dosie； there it is； and it's a jewel。〃
｛preferred = promoted｝
〃What has Honor brought you NOW？〃 asked Clara Caverly in her
quiet way； for she saw by the brilliant eyes and flushed cheeks of her
friend that it was something the other would have pleasure in conversing
about。 〃You make so many purchases； dear Eudosia； that I should think
you would weary of them。〃
〃What； weary of beautiful dresses？ Never； Clara； never！ That might do
for White street； but in Broadway one is never tired of such things
see；〃 laying me out at full length in her lap； 〃this is a pocket…
handkerchiefI wish your opinion of it。〃
Clara examined me very closely； and； in spite of something like a frown；
and an expression of dissatisfaction that gathered about her pretty face…
…for Clara was pretty； tooI could detect some of the latent feelings of
the sex； as she gazed at my exquisite lace； perfect ornamental work；
and unequaled fineness。 Still； her education and habits triumphed； and
she would not commend what she regarded as ingenuity misspent； and
tasteless； because senseless； luxury。
〃This handkerchief cost ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS； Clara；〃 said
Eudosia； deliberately and with emphasis； imitating； as near as possible；
the tone of Bobbinet & Co。
〃Is it possible； Eudosia！ What a sum to pay for so useless a thing！〃
〃Useless！ Do you call a pocket…handkerchief useless？〃
〃Quite so； when it is made in a way to render it out of the question to
put it to the uses for which it was designed。 I should as soon think of
trimming gum shoes with satin； as to trim a handkerchief in that style。〃
〃Style？ Yes； I flatter myself it IS style to have a handkerchief that cost a
hundred dollars。 Why； Clara Caverly； the highest priced thing of this
sort that was ever before sold in New York only came to seventy…nine
dollars。 Mine is superior to all； by twenty…one dollars！〃
Clara Caverly sighed。 It was not with regret； or envy； or any unworthy
feeling； however； it was a fair； honest； moral sigh； that had its birth in the
thought of how much good a hundred dollars might have done； properly
applied。 It was under the influence of this feeling； too； that she said；
somewhat inopportunely it must be confessed； though quite innocently
〃Well； Eudosia； I am glad you can afford such a luxury； at all events。
Now is a good time to get your subscription to the Widows' and
Orphans' Society。 Mrs。 Thoughtful has desired me to ask for it half a
dozen times； I dare say it has escaped you that you are quite a
twelvemonth in arrear。〃
〃NOW a good time to ask for three dollars！ What； just when I've paid
a hundred dollars for a pocket…handkerchief？ That was not said with
your usual good sense； my dear。 People must be MADE of money to
pay out so much at one time。〃
〃When may I tell Mrs。 Thoughtful； then； that you will send it to her？〃
〃I am sure that is more than I can say。 Pa will be in no hurry to give me
more money soon； and I want； at this moment； near a hundred dollars'
worth of articles of dress to make a decent appearance。 The Society
can be in no such hurry for its subscriptions； they must amount to a
good deal。〃
〃Not if never paid。 Shall I lend you the moneymy mother gave me ten
dollars this morning； to make a few purchases； which I can very well do
without until you can pay me。〃
〃DO； dear girlyou are always one of the best creatures in the world。
How much is it？ three dollars I believe。〃
〃Six； if you pay the past and present year。 I will pay Mrs。 Thoughtful
before I go home。 But； dear Eudosia； I wish you had not bought that
foolish pocket…handkerchief。〃
〃Foolish！ Do you call a handkerchief with such lace； and all this
magnificent work on it； and which cost a HUNDRED DOLLARS；
foolish？ Is