“However,” said that fascinating gentleman, wiping his eyes again, “if we go on in this way, we shall seem to be almost making game of Mr. Riah, or of Pubsey and Co. , Saint Mary Axe, or of somebody: which is far from our intention. Mr. Riah, if you would have the kindness to step into the next room for a few moments while I speak with Mr. Lammle here, I should like to try to make terms with you once again before you go.”

The old man, who had never raised his eyes during the whole transaction of Mr. Fledgeby’s joke, silently bowed and passed out by the door which Fledgeby opened for him. Having closed it on him, Fledgeby returned to Lammle, standing with his back to the bedroom fire, with one hand under his coat-skirts, and all his whiskers in the other.