ling eyebrows, in a
girl. _Qu'en dites-vous_, Mr. Titmarsh, as Miss Brough would say?"

"I think it remarkably good claret, sir," says I.

"Egad, you're the right sort of fellow!" says the Captain. "_Volto
sciolto_, eh? You respect our sleeping host yonder?"

"That I do, sir, as the first man in the city of London, and my managing
director."

"And so do I," says Tidd; "and this day fortnight, when I'm of age, I'll
prove my confidence too."

"As how?" says I.

"Why, sir, you must know that I come into--ahem--a considerable property,
sir, on the 14th of July, which my father made--in business."

"Say at once he was a tailor, Tidd."

"He _was_ a tailor, sir,--but what of that? I've had a University
education, and have the feelings of a gentleman; as much--ay, perhaps,
and more, than some members of an effete aristocracy."

"Tidd, don't be severe!" says the Captain, drinking a tenth glass.

"Well, Mr. Titmarsh, when of age I come into a considerable property; and
Mr. Brough has been so good as to say he can get me twelve hundred a year
for my twenty thousand pounds, and I have promised to invest them."

"In the West Diddlesex, sir?" says I--"in our office?"

"No, in another company, of which Mr. Brough is director, and quite as
good a thing. Mr. Brough is a very old friend of my family, sir, and he
has taken a great liking to me; and he says that with my talents I ought
to get into Parliament; and then--and then! after I have laid out my
patrimony, I may look to _matrimony_, you see!"

"Oh, you designing dog!" said the Captain. "When I used to lick you at
school, who ever would have thought that I was thrashing a sucking
statesman?"

"Talk away, boys!" said Brough, waking out of his sleep; "I only sleep
with half an eye, and hear you all. Yes, you shall get into Parliament,
Tidd my man, or my name's not Brough! You shall have six per cent. for
your money, or never believe me! But as for my daughter--ask _her_, and
not me. You, or the Captain, or Titmarsh, may have her, if you can get
her. All I ask in a son-in-law is, that he should be, as every one of
you is, an honourable and high-minded man!"

Tidd at this looked very knowing; and as our host sank off to sleep
again, pointed archly at his eyebrows, and wagged his head at the
Captain.

"Bah!" says the Captain. "I say what I think; and you may tell Miss
Brough if you like." And so presently this conversation ended, and we
were summoned in to