Fascination Fledgeby feigned to be a young gentleman living on his means, but was known secretly to be a kind of outlaw in the bill-broking line, and to put money out at high interest in various ways. His circle of familiar acquaintance, from Mr. Lammle round, all had a touch of the outlaw, as to their rovings in the merry greenwood of Jobbery Forest, lying on the outskirts of the Share-Market and the Stock Exchange.

“I suppose you, Lammle,” said Fledgeby, eating his bread and butter, “always did go in for female society?”

“Always,” replied Lammle, glooming considerably under his late treatment.

“Came natural to you, eh?” said Fledgeby.

“The sex were pleased to like me, sir,” said Lammle sulkily, but with the air of a man who had not been able to help himself.