“Now, I’ll put it as a plain point of business, Mr. Riah. Are you fully determined (as a plain point of business) either to have that said great party’s security, or that said great party’s money?”

“Fully determined,” answered Riah, as he read his master’s face, and learnt the book.

“Not at all caring for, and indeed as it seems to me rather enjoying,” said Fledgeby, with peculiar unction, “the precious kick-up and row that will come off between Mr. Twemlow and the said great party?”

This required no answer, and received none. Poor Mr. Twemlow, who had betrayed the keenest mental terrors since his noble kinsman loomed in the perspective, rose with a sigh to take his departure. “I thank you very much, sir,” he said, offering Fledgeby his feverish hand. “You have done me an unmerited service. Thank you, thank you!”