“And as the wife of Alfred, may I, dear Mr. Fledgeby, wholly without his authority or knowledge, as I am sure your discernment will perceive, entreat you to continue that great service, and once more use your well-earned influence with Mr. Riah for a little more indulgence? The name I have heard Alfred mention, tossing in his dreams, is Riah; is it not?”

“The name of the creditor is Riah,” said Mr. Fledgeby, with a rather uncompromising accent on his noun-substantive. “Saint Mary Axe. Pubsey and Co. ”