“Did Mr. Roberts tell you how much each of the steam-lights cost to produce?” asked Mr. Parker in a disgusted tone.

“No, it was not discussed.”

Darcy was growing impatient, and at length broke in abruptly: “Parker, what are you getting at? Say what you have to say, for pity’s sake, and do not keep us in suspense in this manner!”

“I understand your impatience, Darcy, and I apologise. I was trying to fathom how a sensible person could have been induced to invest in such a speculation, but you are right—that is nothing now,” replied Mr. Parker. “This apparatus is simply not practical for several reasons: the prospectus indicates that water is abundant and that it is much safer to transport via a system of pipes than the coal-gas. The first is certainly true, but, I assure you, steam under high pressure is as explosive and as deadly as any gas. Second, the system of steam-pipes would have to be provided, just as the system of gas-pipes has been installed in the better parts of London. It would be pure folly to make a second set of excavations and a duplicate system of piping simply for a different method of lighting. However, neither of those considerations is decisive, in my view, and would be surmountable if the steam-light were likely to prove advantageous in the long-term. From the view-point of the venture, owing to the complexity of the turbine and static generating mechanism, the cost of each steam-light so far exceeds that of a simple gas-infuser, it is impossible that so complex a device could ever be produced so cheaply as to be a serious rival to gaslight. A second consideration is that the gas-light has no moving parts that eventually tire and require replacement; the steam-light has many. Then, there is the noise. This could never be used even on the busiest street. The din produced by even one device must be appalling! You would not hear it in a foundry over the general din, but I assure you most heartily, that such an apparatus would be intolerable anywhere but such a place as a foundry.” Mr. Parker paused.

Lady Catherine was not yet entirely without hope and asked, “But Mr. Roberts said steam-light was the best possible method in any factory where there was open fire, due to the combustive nature of the coal-gas. And he further indicated that the steam-light would be most œconomical where there was already a steam supply, such as exists in many places of manufacture already in England.”