He created the small beginnings of the carpet and rug
importation from Asia Minor. His son, and in turn his son,
followed him. They became bankers as well as importers.
They helped very greatly to develop the trade of
the Levant. They were not avaricious men, or usurers.
It is not in our blood. Your Chairman, Lord Chaldon,
who honours me so highly by calling me his friend--he
will assure you that we have a good name in the East.
Our banks have befriended the people, and never oppressed
or injured them. For that reason--I will say perhaps
for that reason--we have never become a very rich house.
It is possible to name bankers who have made large fortunes
out of Egypt. It was different with us. Lord Chaldon
will tell you that of our own free will--my two brothers
and I--of our own choice we consented to lose a fifth
of all our possessions, rather than coin into gold by force
the tears and blood of the wretched fellaheen."
"Yes--I have never known a more honourable or humane action,"
put in the Marquis, fervently.
"And then my brothers die--Polydor, who lived mostly
at Smyrna, and whose estate was withdrawn from the
business by his widow, and Augustin, who lived here in
London after 1870, and died--it is now six years ago.
He left a son, Robert, who is my nephew, and my partner.
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