'0f course it still holds good.'

'And we'll be partners.'

'Partners?--Yes,--we will be partners.

'It will cost a terrific sum.

'There are some things which never can cost too much.'

'That's not my experience,'

'I hope it will be mine.'

'It's a bargain?'

'0n my side, I promise you that it's a bargain.'

When I got outside the room I found that Percy Woodville was at myside. His round face was, in a manner of speaking as long as myarm. He took his glass out of his eye, and rubbed it with hishandkerchief,-and directly he put it back he took it out andrubbed it again, I believe that I never saw him in such a state offluster,-and, when one speaks of Woodville, that means something.

'Atherton, I am in a devil of a stew.' He looked it. 'All of aheap!--I've had a blow which I shall never get over!'

'Then get under.'

Woodville is one of those fellows whom will insist on telling metheir most private matters,--even to what they owe theirwasherwomen for the ruination of their shirts. Why, goodness alonecan tell,--heaven knows I am not sympathetic.

'Don't be an idiot!--you don't know what I'm suffering!--I'm asnearly as possible stark mad.'

'That's all right, very aged chap,--I've seen you that way more thanonce before.'

'Don't talk like that,--you're not a perfect brute!'