passed away. He was so deeply engrossed with the affairs of Titmouse, which required his presence frequently at Yatton, and a great deal of his attention in town, as to prevent his taking any decisive steps, for some time, in the matter nearest his heart. At length, not having seen or heard anything of Mr Aubrey for some weeks, during which he had been in town, he resolved on a new stroke of policy. any overtures to acquaintance. Nothing, he felt, could be more unexceptionably courteous than Mr Aubrey's demeanour; yet had it been such as to satisfy him, that unless he resorted to some means of unusual efficacy, he never could get upon visiting terms with the Aubreys. The impression which Miss Aubrey had originally produced in his mind, remained as distinct and vivid as ever. Her beauty, her grace, her elevated character-of which he had heard "Mr Quirk," said he one day to his much on all hands, and which he con- excellent senior partner, "I fancy you templated with feelings, the nature of will say that I am come to flatter you: which defied his own analysis-her but, Heaven knows!—if there is a man accomplishments, her high birth-all on the earth with whom I lay aside conspired to constitute a prize, for the disguise, that man is my friend Mr gaining of which he deemed no exer- Quirk. Really, it does seem, and tion too great, no sacrifice too serious, mortifying enough it is to own it, as if no enterprise too hazardous. He had, events invariably showed that you are moreover, other important objects in right-that I am wrong" (Here Mr view, to which a union with Miss Au- Quirk's appearance might have sugbrey was in fact essential. She was, gested the idea of an old tom-cat who again, the only person, the sight of is rubbed down the right way of the whom had in any measure given vita- fur, and does everything he can to lity to his marble heart, exciting to- testify the delight it gives him, by tally new thoughts and desires, such pressing against the person affording as stimulated him to a fierce and in-him such gratification).-" especially flexible determination to succeed in in financial matters his purposes. He was, in short, pre- 'Ah, Gammon, Gammon, you're pared to make almost any sacrifice, really past finding out!-Sometimes, to wait any length of time, to do now, I declare, I fancy you the very or suffer anything that man could do keenest dog going in such matters, or suffer, whether derogatory to his and at other times, eh ?-not particu personal honour (for strange to say, larly brilliant. When you've seen as he conceived that he had it) or not much of this world's villany, Gamin order either to secure the affections mon, as I have, you'll find it as necesof Miss Aubrey, or, at all events, her sary as I have found it, to lay aside consent to a union with him. Hav- one's-one's-I say-to lay aside all ing early discovered the spot where scrup- -that is-I mean-one's fine Mr Aubrey had fixed his residence, feelings, and so forth: you underMr Gammon had made a point of ly-stand, Gammon?" ing in wait, on a Sunday morning, for the purpose of ascertaining the church to which they went; and having succeeded, he became a constant, an impassioned, though an unseen observer of Miss Aubrey, from whom he seldom removed his eyes during the service. But this was to him a high ly unsatisfactory state of things: he seemed, in fact, not to have made, nor to be likely to make, the least progress towards the accomplishment of his wishes, though much time had already Perfectly, Mr Quirk" "It cost me an effort, Gammon, at first,-to do so, for my heart is naturally tender " "I fear, my dear sir, you have not hitherto succeeded in your efforts," said Mr Gammon, with a placid smile. "Well-and may I ask, Gammon, what is the particular occasion of that screwed-up forehead of yours? Something in the wind?" "Only this, Mr Quirk—I begin to and have a writ out against Master Aubrey.' we suspect that I did wrong in recommending you to give an indefinite time to that fellow, Aubrey, for pay. 'Forgive me, my dear Mr Quirk," ment of the heavy balance he owes interrupted Gammon blandlyus-by Heavens !-see how coolly he must go cautiously to work, or we shall treats us!" only injure ourselves, and prejudice our Indeed, Gammon, I think so!-most important-and permanent inteBesides 'tis an uncommon heavy bal ance to owe so long, eh? - Fifteen hundred pounds, or thereabouts? 'Gad it's that, at least!"- Gammon shrugged his shoulders and bowed, as if resigned to any step which Mr Quirk might think proper to take. "He's a villanous proud fellow, that Aubrey, eh?-Your tiptop debtorsgenerally are, though-when they've got a bit of a hardship to harp upon " Certainly we ought, when we had him in our power "Ah!-D'ye recollect, Gammon? the thumbscrew? eh? whose fault was it that it wasn't put on? .eh? Tell me that, friend Gammon! Are you coming round to old Caleb Quirk's matter-of-fact way of doing business? Depend on't the old boy has got a trick or two left in him yet, white as his hair's growing!" "I bow, my dear sir-I own myself worsted-and all through that absurd weakness I have, which some choose to call " "Oh Lord, Gammon! Bubble, bubble and botheration-ah, ha! Come, there's nobody here but you and me—and eh? old Bogy perhaps so, why that little bit of blarney ?" "Oh! my dear Mr Quirk, spare me that cutting irony of yours. Surely, when I have made the sincere and humiliating submission to which you have been listening-but, to return to business. I assure you that I think we ought to lose not a moment in getting in our balance, or at least coming to some satisfactory and definite arrangement concerning it. Only pinch him, and he'll bleed freely, depend on it." 66 Ah, ha! Pinch him, and he'll bleed? That's my thunder, Gammon, ah, ha, ha!-By Jove! that's it, to a T-I always thought the fellow had blood enough in him if we only squeezed him a little. So let Snap be off rests. We must take care not to drive Certainly; but we should suffer more than he "Surely, Gammon, they'd remand him! Eighteen months at the very least." "Not an hour-not a minute, Mr Quirk," said Gammon, earnestly. "The deuce they wouldn't? Well, then the law's come to a pretty point! And so lenient as we've been!" "What occurs to me as the best method of procedure," said Gammon, after musing for a moment-"is, for you to write a letter to him immediately-civil but peremptory - just one of those letters of yours, my dear sir, in which no man living can excel you-suaviter in modo, fortiter in re, Mr Quirk.” Gammon, you're a gentleman, every inch of you-you are, upon my soul! If there is one thing in which I -but you're a hand at a letter of that sort, too, yourself! And you have managed these people hitherto; why not go on to the end of the chapter? "Mr Quirk, I look upon this letter as rather an important one-it ought to come from the head of the firm, and to be decisively and skilfully expressed, so as at once to- -eh? but you know exactly what ought to be done." "Well-leave it to me,-leave it to me, Gammon : I think I do know how to draw up a teaser-egad! You can just cast your eye over it as soon as If I return in time from Clerkenwell, I will, Mr Quirk," replied Gammon, who had, however, determined not to disable himself from saying with literal truth that he had not seen one line of the letter which might be sent! and, moreover, resolving to make his appearance at Mr Aubrey's almost immediately after he should, in | pulsory proceedings of that extremely the course of the post, have received painful description that we have alMr Quirk's communication:-to as- ways felt extremely reluctant to, parsume every appearance and expres- ticularly with those gentlemen that sion of distress, agitation, and even would feel it very disagreeable. We disgust; indignantly assuring Mr Au- trust that in a week's time we shall brey that the letter had been sent hear from you to that effect, that will without Mr Gammon's knowledge-render unnecessary our proceeding to against his will-and was entirely re- extremities against you, which would pudiated by him; and that he would be extremely painful to us. We retake care, at all hazards to himself, to main, sir, yours most obediently, frustrate any designs on the part of QUIRK, GAMMON, & SNAP. his coarse and hard-hearted senior "CHARLES AUBREY, ESQ. partner, to harass or oppress Mr Aubrey. With this explanation of precedent circumstances, I proceed to lay | before the reader an exact copy of the elegant letter of that old cat's-paw, Mr Quirk, to Mr Aubrey, the arrival of which had produced the sensation to which I have already alluded. "P.S.-We should have no objection, if it would materially relieve you, to take your note of hand for the aforesaid balance (£1446, 14s. 6d.) at two months, with interest, and good security. Or say, £800 down in two months, and a warrant of attorney for the remainder, at two months more." As soon as the wretched trio had finished reading the above letter, Mrs Aubrey threw her arms round her silent and oppressed husband's neck, and Kate, her bosom heaving with agitation, returned to her seat without uttering a word. "My own poor Charles!" faltered Mrs Aubrey, and wept. "SAFFRON HILL, 30th September 18-. "SIR,-We trust you will excuse our reminding you of the heavy balance (£1446, 14s. 6d.) still remaining due from you to us-and which we understood, at the time when the very favourable arrangement to you, with respect to Mr Titmouse, was made, was to have been long before this liquidated. Whatever allowances we might have felt disposed, on account "Never mind, Charles-let us hope of your peculiar situation, to have that we shall get through even this," made, (and which we have made), we commenced Kate; when her emotion cannot but feel a little surprised, at prevented her proceeding. Mr Auyour having allowed several months brey appeared to cast his eye again, to have elapsed without making any but mechanically only, over the dry, allusion thereto. We are satisfied, civil, heart-breaking letter, in every however, that you require only to be word of which might be seen glistenreminded thereof, to have your im-ing, the image of the Thumbscrew to mediate attention directed thereto, and to act in that way that will conduce to liquidate our very heavy balance against you. We are sorry to have occasion to press you; but being much pressed ourselves with serious outlays, we are obliged to throw ourselves (however reluctantly) upon our resources; and it gives us pleasure to anticipate, that you must by this time have made those arrangements that will admit of your immediate attention to our over-due account, and that will render unnecessary our resorting to hostile and com which Mr Quirk had alluded, in his conversation with Mr Gammon. "Don't distress yourself, my Agnes," said he tenderly, placing her beside him, with his arm round her— "it is only reasonable that these people should ask for what is their own: and if their manner is a little coarse 'Oh, I've no patience, Charles!It's the letter of a vulgar, hard-hearted fellow," sobbed Mrs Aubrey. Yes-they are wretches! - cruel harpies!" quoth Kate passionatelythey know that you have almost 66 beggared yourself to pay off by far the greater part of their abominable bill; and that you are slaving day and night to enable you -here her agi. tation was so excessive as to prevent her uttering another word. me, "I must write and tell them," said Aubrey calmly, but his countenance laden with gloom-"it is all I can do -that if they will have patience with I will pay them all.” "Oh, they'll put you in prison, Charles, directly"-said Kate frantically; and rising, threw herself into his arms, and kissed him with a sort of frenzied energy. "We're very miserable, Charles-are not we? It's hard to bear indeed," she continued, gazing with agonising intensity on his troubled features. Mrs Aubrey wept in silence. "Are you giving way, my brave Kate, beneath this sudden and momentary gust on the midnight sea of our trouble?" inquired her brother, proudly but kindly gazing at her, and with his hand gently pushing from her pale cheeks her disordered hair. "Human nature, Charles, must not be tried too far-look at Agnes, and the darling little loves "I am not likely to consult their interests, Kate, by yielding to unmanly emotion-am I, sweet Agnes?" She made him no reply, but shook her head, sobbing bitterly. Pray, what do you think, Charles, of your friend Mr Gammon, now? inquired Kate, suddenly, her blue eyes glittering with beautiful scorn. Oh, the smooth-tongued villain! I've always hated him! "I must say there's something about his eye that is anything but pleasing," said Mrs Aubrey; "and so I thought when I saw him at York for a moment." "He's a hypocrite, Charles-depend upon it, and in this letter he has thrown off the mask"-interrupted Kate. "But is it his letter? How do we know that he has had anything to do with it?" inquired her brother calmly -"It is much more probable that it is the production of old Mr Quirk alone, for whom Mr Gammon has, I know, a profound contempt. The handwriting is Mr Quirk's; the style is assuredly not Mr Gammon's; and the whole tone of the communication is such as satis. fies me that neither was the composition of the letter, nor the idea of sending it, his; besides, he has really shown on every occasion a straightforward and disinterested" "Oh, Charles, it is so weak of you to be hoodwinked by such a fellow; I shudder to think of him! One of these days, Charles, you will be of my opinion, and recollect what I now say!"-While she thus spoke, and Mrs Aubrey was, with a trembling hand, preparing tea, a double knock was heard at the street door. "Heavens, Charles! who can that possibly be, and at this time of night?" exclaimed Kate, with alarmed energy. "I really cannot conjecture"-replied Mr Aubrey, with an agitation of manner, which he found it impossible to conceal-" we've certainly but few visitors-and it is so late." The servant in a few minutes terminated their suspense, and occasioned them nearly equal alarm and amazement, by laying down on the table a card bearing the dreaded name of - MR GAMMON. "Mr Gammon!" exclaimed all three in a breath, looking apprehensively at each other-"Is he alone?" inquired Mr Aubrey, with forced calm to the door, and trembling from head to foot. 'Rely on my prudence, and also that I shall not stop long," he replied; and descending the stairs, he entered the study. CHAPTER III. MR GAMMON IN VIVIAN STREET, AFTER THE MANNER OF A SNAKE, IN A DOVECOTE. "I have no intention of making any complaint, or uttering any reproaches, sir," said Mr Aubrey, eyeing his agitated companion searchingly. In a chair near the little book-strewn | mon, addressing Mr Aubrey in an intable sat his dreaded visitor-suggest- dignant tone, "that my word was ing to his disturbed vision the idea of solemnly pledged to you." a deadly snake lying coiled before him. Instantly, on seeing Mr Aubrey, Gammon rose, with distress and agitation | visible in his countenance and deportment. Mr Aubrey, with calmness and dignity, begged him to resume his seat; and when he had done so, sat down opposite to him, with a sternly inquisitive look, awaiting his visitor's errand. He was not kept long in suspense. Oh, Mr Aubrey !" commenced Mr Gammon, with a somewhat tremulous voice, "I perceive, from your manner, that my fears are justified, and that I am an intruder-a dishonourable and hypocritical one I must indeed appear; but, as I have done nothing to forfeit my right to be treated as one gentleman is entitled to be treated by another, I request you to hear me. This visit appears indeed unseasonable; but, late this afternoon, I made a discovery which has shocked me severely, nay, I may say, disgusted me beyond expression. Am I right, Mr Aubrey, in supposing that this evening you have received a letter from Mr Quirk, and about the balance due on our account?" “I have, sir,” replied Mr Aubrey, coldly. "I thought as much," muttered Gammon with suppressed vehemence -"execrable, heartless, sordid old -And he knew," continued Gam 'But I have, Mr Aubrey," said Gammon, haughtily. "My senior partner has broken faith with me. Sir, you have already paid more than will cover what is justly due to us; and I recommend you, after this, to have the bill taxed. You will thereby get rid of every farthing of the balance now demanded; and I give you this recommendation bonâ fide, and upon the honour of a gentleman." Notwithstanding the air of sincerity with which this was uttered, a cold thrill of apprehension and suspicion passed through Mr Aubrey's heart, and he felt confident that some subtle and dangerous manœuvre was being practised upon him-that he was urged to take some hostile step for instancewhich would be unsuccessful, and yet afford a pretext to Messrs Quirk, Gammon, and Snap, to treat him as one guilty of a breach of faith, and warrant them in proceeding to extremities. He regarded Mr Gammon's words as the hissing of a serpent, and shuddered. "I have no intention, sir, to do anything of the kind," said Mr Aubrey. "The original agreement between us was, that your bill should not be taxed. I adhere to it; and whatever course you may feel disposed to adopt, I shall |