Eugene vouchsafed no answer; but made the proposal to Mortimer, “I’ll go with you, if you like?” So, they all three went away together in the vehicle that had brought the boy; the two friends (once boys together at a public school) inside, smoking cigars; the messenger on the box beside the driver.

“Let me see,” said Mortimer, as they went along; “I have been, Eugene, upon the honourable roll of solicitors of the High Court of Chancery, and attorneys at Common Law, five years; and⁠—except gratuitously taking instructions, on an average once a fortnight, for the will of Lady Tippins who has nothing to leave⁠—I have had no scrap of business but this romantic business.”

“And I,” said Eugene, “have been ‘called’ seven years, and have had no business at all, and never shall have any. And if I had, I shouldn’t know how to do it.”

“I am far from being clear as to the last particular,” returned Mortimer, with great composure, “that I have much advantage over you.”