“Well, but, my friend, is it not needful that I should? When I go there I shall be all alone, and my friend Harker Jonathan⁠—nay, pardon me, I fall into my country’s habit of putting your patronymic first⁠—my friend Jonathan Harker will not be by my side to correct and aid me. He will be in Exeter, miles away, probably working at papers of the law with my other friend, Peter Hawkins. So!”

We went thoroughly into the business of the purchase of the estate at Purfleet. When I had told him the facts and got his signature to the necessary papers, and had written a letter with them ready to post to

Mr.