“I regret to hear I am in some sort anticipated,” Mr. Rokesmith answered, evidently having heard it with surprise; “but perhaps other duties might arise?”

“You see,” returned Mr. Boffin, with a confidential sense of dignity, “as to my literary man’s duties, they’re clear. Professionally he declines and he falls, and as a friend he drops into poetry.”

Without observing that these duties seemed by no means clear to Mr. Rokesmith’s astonished comprehension, Mr. Boffin went on: