Ten Thousand a-Year. Volume 2.

held on the day after his last interview with Mr. Aubrey, was, that he drew up

Inn, 26th

ntl

itmouse v

Titmouse to the residue of the Yatton property. We now, therefore, beg to give you notice, that on the 17th of next month you will be at liberty, on behalf of your client, Mr. Titmouse, to take possession of all the property at Yatton,

bill at as early a period as may suit your convenience,

trongest reasons for believing, that had he been disposed to contest your client's claim farther, in accordance with advice received from a high quarter, his case would have been materially stre

emen, your obe

ingto

uirk, Gamm

tners, "I must throw in a word or two about those accursed mesne profits-

head, and the other

se Mr. Aubrey," said

tter,-"on the contrary, you told us yourself that your i

elf and family, which I must say, he seems quite incapable of exercising himself. Nay, upon my honor, I think we ar

on; and Mr. Runnington, after a few moments'

d for the critical position in which our client finds himself placed so suddenly and unexpectedly. Indeed, it is not difficult to conceive that Mr. Aubrey, in taking the step

estion of Messrs. Runnington, not in any way implicating, or calculated in any event to annoy, Mr. Aubrey; and a fair copy of

into the room of his wily partner, and threw it down exultingly before him. Gammon read it with apparent calmness, but a slight flush ove

e've fought a precious hard battle together"-and he shook his partner's hand with vehement cordiality. "This fellow Aubrey is

replied Gammon, dryly, and with a smile-the real

ness. By next quarter-day Titmouse will have ￡5,000 in hard cash-half of it on the

ise-that's all"-said Gammon, absently and

hem!-while Mr. Aubrey's on the tight rope he won't think of looking down at the particular items, will he? I should say, now's our time; and we should strike while the iron's hot! I've got rather

ment, as to that of a first-rate man of business. You know I'm a sad hand at accounts; but

ipt of theirs, isn't it?" and replacing his spectacles, he read it over aloud. "All my eye, of course!" he added, as he laid down the letter-"but I suppose one must give 'em a little time; it is a little hard on him just at presen

on," said Mr. Gammon, who, for the last

e if I think so, Gammon! There's a c

fixed quite as steadily and anxiously on

my grave at a hand gallop-it would, so help me Heaven, Gammon!-Titmouse-by the way-is a queer hand to deal with-isn't he? Wasn't he strange and bumptious the other day? Egad, it made me qua

n is necessary, Mr

us, and snap his fingers in our face, eh?" inquired Mr. Qu

, very gravely, and very pointedly. Quirk's color changed a little, as he felt

homing you, when you get into one of your mysterious humors; and you always look so particularl

sure you," replied Gam

part of that same ten thousand pounds, I should be a happy man!-Consider Gammon, what a draught th

oon richly repaid, my dear s

and to become due next quarter-day, and on the first instalment of the me

Titmouse not to grow restive, do you suppose it probable that Mr. Aubrey, after so vast and sudden a sacrifice, can have more than a very few thou

And what's he to start with, if there's no mesne profits forthcoming? But, hang it! they must; I should say a gentle pressure, by-and-by, as soon as Aubrey's fairl

at once-eh?" inquired Gammon, with subdue

s just what I mea

is momentary excitement passed off unobserved by Mr. Quirk. "And, I must say, I agree with you," adde

h you would let me make a friend of you!" suddenly add

," said Mr. Gammon, throwing great warmth into his manner, perceiving that Mr.

ld and friendly expression of Gammon's countenance, however, invited communicativeness; and after softly opening and shutting the two doors, to ascertain that no one w

o mention so small a matter; but at a certain silversmith's, not a thousand miles from the Strand, there's at this moment in hand, as a present from me to you"-(Oh dear, dear! Mr. Quirk! what a shocking untruth! and at your advanc

t emotion, "quite by surprise. Value it? I will preserve it to the latest moment of

of respectful sympathy;-"Dora: I don't think you can have known Dora so long, Gammon, without feeling a leetle interest in her!" Here Gammon's color mounted rapidly; and he looked with feelings of a novel description at his senior partner. Could it be possible that old Quirk wished to bring about a match between his daughter and Mr. Gammon? That gentleman's thoughts were for a moment confused. All he could do was to bow with an earnest-

mmon, suddenly and

ially by the hand,-"at length you have made a friend of me indeed! But

no accounting for tastes, is there?-especially among the women? Poor Dora's quite

ntlemanly manners; and as to his fortune-really-when one thinks of the thing-it would be most desirable to bring it about! Indeed, the sooner his heart's fixed, and his word's p

ening disgust-"the old beast! I smoked him long ago! Now,

I think it is a part of even my duty towards our confiding and inexperi

ith you!" replied Quirk, earnestly, not observing the lambent smi

He's certainly a toad, ugly and venomous-but then he's got a jewel in his head-he's got money, you

ar of her! And, by the way, now we're on that subject, Gammon, what do we wa

ney-security, my

at I can't understand! Surely any one will advance almost any amo

ssibly-p

g him five thousand-nay, ten thousand pounds

attract the notice of his eager companion, "there are reasons why I should dissuade you from doing so; upon my word there a

ment. "What reason, Gammon, can there be against my advancing money on a security worth at

nce a serious sum of money to Titmouse on the security of the Yatton estat

but you'd puzzle an angel, to say nothing of the devil! May I presume for one moment, so far on ou

ou out of the way of all risk. Surely, is your bor

I don't, it's your bounden duty to c

rself no more!-but, in the mean while, (without saying how much I feel hurt at

said to Mr. Quirk, "My opinion is, that you should get some third party or parties to advance any required sum, and prevail upon Tag-rag to join in a collateral security, without-if possible-making him aware of the extent of liability he is incurring. By exciting him with the ridiculous notion of

of mingled chagrin, apprehension, and bewilderment. "Gammon," at length said he, affecting a smile, "do you remem

interrupted Gam

name of that fellow that was

plied Gammon, unable

y wanted to think of the name-I'd for

ry sarcastic with his friend. He thought

to-day, Gammon, I should almost begin to think

I ever attempt to overreach

can't say I ever found you out-but I'll tell you what, we each keep a precious sharp look-out after each oth

alloy in the otherwise pure gold of your manly, generous, and straightforward character. Time may show how you have wronged me. My anxious wish is, Mr. Quirk, to witness

d he, eagerly, "that Dora's just t

I. There's a mingled softnes

e's quite altered lately; and my sister tells me that she's always playing dismal music when he's not there. But we can talk over these matters at an

heir late conversation. Of course, he had resolved that Miss Quirk should never become Mrs. Titmouse! And what struck him as not a little singular was this; viz. that Mr. Quirk should have made no

esently wrote to the lett

ill, 26th

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itmouse v

ich has been taken by your client, under circumstances calculated to excite the greatest possible commiseration. Every expression of respec

ion-namely, the 17th May next, on behalf of our client, Mr. Titmouse; on whose behalf

mptly pursue the same line of honorable conduct which he has hitherto adopted; and sincerely tr

e beg to inform you that we have given instructio

e, Gen

ient humbl

Gammon

Running

ith folded arms, and entered upon a long train of thought-revolving many

deferred to the authority of Gammon in all things. In vain did Titmouse inquire how this could be. Gammon was impenetrable, mysterious, authoritative; and at length enjoined Titmouse to absolute secrecy concerning the existence of the fact in question, on pain of the infliction of those consequences to which I have already alluded. Gammon assured him that there were many plans and plots hatching against him (Titmouse;) but that it was in his (Gammon's) power to protect him from t

ed, however, as far as in each of them lay, not to let themselves be forgotten by Titmouse. Pending the rule for the new trial, Mr. Quirk had been so confident concerning the issue, that he greatly increased the allowance of Titmouse; to an extent, indeed, which admitted of his entering into almost all the gayeties that his as yet scarce initiated heart could desire. In the first place, he constantly added to his wardrobe. Then he took lessons, every other day, in "the noble art of self-defence;" which gave him an opportunity of forming, with great ease, at once an extensive and brilliant circle of acquaintance. Fencing-rooms, wrestling-rooms, shooting-galleries, places for pigeon-shooting, cock-fighting, dog-fighting, and billiard-rooms; the water, and boat-racing-these were the dazzling scenes which occupied the chief portion of each day. Then,

kely thing to suppose; and there was one who would fain have joined him in his new adventures-one who, as I have already in

losopher, a

rs-often persons of the greatest rank, fashion, and beauty; for so it happened that, in this country, the more hideous the crime, the more intense the curiosity of the upper classes of both sexes to witness the miscreant perpetrator; the more disgusting the details, the greater the avidity with which they are listened to by the distinguished auditors;-the reason being plain, that, as they have exhausted the pleasures and excitements afforded by their own sphere of action and enjoyment, their palled and sated appetites require novel and more powerful stim

of that solid, extensive, and practical acquaintance with men and things, which was requisite to enable hi

in the afternoon, drawing up opposite to the gates of Satin Lodge; from which said coach, the door having been opened, presently descended Messrs. Quirk, Gammon, and Titmouse. Now, the Tag-rags always dined at about two o'clock on Sundays; and, on the present occasion, Mr., Mrs., an

mouths on the corners of the table-cloth; and, after a hurried apology to their reverend and astounded guest, whom they begged "to go on eating till they came back"-they bounced into the little drawing-room, in just time enough to appear (as they thought) to have been seated there for some time; but they were both rather red in the face, and flustered in their manner. Yet, how abortive was their attempt to disguise the truly disgraceful fact of their having been at dinner when their distinguished visitors arrived! For, firstly, the house was redolent of the odors of roast pork, sage and onion

you're all well?" commenced Titmouse, with an air of easy confide

sit down to-lunch," sai

ked such a shrivelled little ugly formal creature, that Titmouse conceived quite a hatred of her, through recollecting that he had once thought such an inferior piece of goods superfine! Old Quirk and Tag-rag, every now and then, cast distrustful glances at each other; but Gammon kept all in a calm flow of small talk, which at length restored those whom they had come to see, to something like self-possession. As for Mr. Quirk, the more he looked at Miss Tag-rag, the more pride and satisfaction he felt in reflecting upon the unfavorable contrast she must present, in Titmouse's eyes, to Miss Quirk. After a little further conversation, principally concerning the brilliant success of Titmouse, Mr. Quirk came to the business of the day, and invited Mr., Mrs., and Miss Tag-rag to dinner at Alibi House, on the ensuing Sunday, at six o'clo

s forehead narrow; his eyes cold and watery; no eyebrows or whiskers; high cheekbones; his short dark hair combed primly forward over each temple, and twisted into a sort of topknot in front; he wore no shirt-collar, but had a white neck-handkerchief tied very formally, and was dressed in an ill-made suit of black. He spoke in a drawling, canting tone; and his countenance was overspread with a demure expression of-CUNNING, trying to look religious. Then he was always talking about himself, and his chapel, and the devil, and the bottomless pit, and the number of souls which he had saved, and the number of those whom he knew were damned, and many more who certainly would be damned; and other cheerful and interesting matters of that sort, intrusted-it would seem-to his confidential keeping. All this might be very well in its way, began to think Miss Tag-rag-but it was possible to choke a dog with pudding. Poor girl, can you wonder at her dwelling fondly upon the image of Titmouse? So splendidly dressed, so handsome, such a fashionable air, and with-ten thousand a-year! When she put all these things together, it almost looked like a dream; such good fortune could never be in store for a poor simple girl like herself. Yet there was such a thing as-love at first sight! After tea they all walked down to Mr. Horror's meeting-house. It was very crowded; and it was remarked that the eloquent young preacher had never delivered a more impassioned sermon from that pulpit: it was sublime. Oh, how bitterly he denounced "worldly-mindedness!" What a vivid picture he drew

felt a little nervous. Before they had entered the gates, the fond proud parents had kissed their trembling daughter, and entreated her "to keep her spirits up!" The exhortation was needful; for when she saw the sort of sty

as they followed the splendid footman up-stairs,-"it may be all uncommon grand; but s

no nonsense," sternly whispered

h the footman, in a so

orward to receive the ladies with the most charming affability. There stood Titmouse, in an easy attitude, with his hands stuc

embling Tag-rag, "that's the you

a very easy, calm, gentlemanly appearance and address, and an intellectual and even handsome countenance; though it occasionally exhibited, to a keen observer, a sinister expression. He wore a blue coat, a plain white waistcoat, (not disfigured by any glistening fiddle-faddle of pins, chains, or quizzing-glasses,) black trousers, and plain black silk stockings. There was at once an app

at them in silence. To return to the dining-room for a moment. 'T was quite delightful to see the sort of friendship that seemed to grow up between Quirk and Tag-rag, as their heads got filled with wine; at the same time each of them half unconsciously drawing closer and closer to Titmouse, who sat between them-volubility itself. They soon dropped all disguise-each plainly under the impression that the other could not, or did n

laimed, as evidently elevated with wine, he slapped his daughter on her fat back, "Ah, Dora, my dove!" while Tag-rag kissed his daughter's cheek, and squeezed her hand, and then glanced with a proud and delighted air at Titmouse, who was lolling at full length upon the other sofa, picking his teeth. While Miss Quirk was making tea, Gammon gayly conversing with her, and in an undertone satirizing Miss Tag-rag, the latter young lady was gazing, with a timid air, at the various elegant nick-nacks scattered upon the tables and slabs. One of these consisted of a pretty little box, about a foot square, with a glass lid, through which she saw the contents; and they not a little surprised her. They were pieces of cord; and on looking at one of the sides of the box, she read with a sudden shudder,-"With these cords were tied the hands of Arthur Grizzlegut, executed for high treason, 1st May 18-. Presented, as a mark of respect, to Caleb Quirk, Esq., b

Titmouse

Is My

My Dwell

t Is My S

those of his spaniel)-walk up to her, and converse with a great appearance of interest. At length Mr. Tag-rag's "carriage" was announced. Mr. Quirk gave his arm to Mrs. Tag-rag, and Mr. Titmouse to the daughter; who endeavored, as she went down the stairs, to direct melting glances at her handsome and distinguished companion. They evidently told, for she could not be mistaken; he certainly once or twice squeezed her arm-and the last fond words he uttered to her were, "'Pon my soul-it's early; devilish sorry your going-hope you've enjoyed yourself!" As the Tag-rags drove home, they were all loud in the praises of

meward, "that when you're Mrs. Titmouse, you'll bring your dear husband to hear

st End churches; you know, you go where pa goes-I go where Titmouse goes! But I will come sometimes, too-if it's only to show that I'm not above it, you know

nner, "that we shall, after a certain event, continue to live in these parts. There's such

mehow or other, now looked to the eyes of all of them shrunk into most contemptible dimensions; and they quite turned up their noses, involuntarily, on entering the little passage. What was it to the spacious and splendid

ked together very fast for nearly a couple of hours, sleep long fleeing from the eyes dazzled with so splendid a vision as that which had floated before them all day. At length Mr. Tag-rag, getting tired sooner than his wife, became very sullen, and silent; and on her venturing-after a few minutes' pause-to mention some new idea which had occurred to her, he told her furiou