“Call, and ask to see him alone?” suggested Lammle.
“I would rather not do that either. Leave it to me. Spare me the little carriage for today, and for tomorrow (if I don’t succeed today), and I’ll lie in wait for him.”
It was barely settled when a manly form was seen to pass the windows and heard to knock and ring. “Here’s Fledgeby,” said Lammle. “He admires you, and has a high opinion of you. I’ll be out. Coax him to use his influence with the Jew. His name is Riah, of the House of Pubsey and Co. ” Adding these words under his breath, lest he should be audible in the erect ears of Mr. Fledgeby, through two keyholes and the hall, Lammle, making signals of discretion to his servant, went softly upstairs.
“ Mr. Fledgeby,” said Mrs. Lammle, giving him a very gracious reception, “so glad to see you! My poor dear Alfred, who is greatly worried just now about his affairs, went out rather early. Dear Mr. Fledgeby, do sit down.”
Dear Mr. Fledgeby did sit down, and satisfied himself (or, judging from the expression of his countenance, dis satisfied himself) that nothing new had occurred in the way of whisker-sprout since he came round the corner from the Albany.
“Dear Mr. Fledgeby, it was needless to mention to you that my poor dear Alfred is much worried about his affairs at present, for he has told me what a comfort you are to him in his temporary difficulties, and what a great service you have rendered him.”
“Oh!” said Mr. Fledgeby.
“Yes,” said Mrs. Lammle.
“I didn’t know,” remarked Mr. Fledgeby, trying a new part of his chair, “but that Lammle might be reserved about his affairs.”