ow. My creditor pressed me; it seemed cruel, but,
if he wanted the money, I suppose it was only just. I was sold out of
house and home. I dare say other gentlemen would have said what Sir John
said; I dare say most people would have refused to keep a steward
who had had the bailiffs after him, and his furniture sold in the
neighborhood. That was how it ended, Mr. Midwinter. I needn't detain you
any longer--here is Sir John's address, if you wish to apply to him."
Midwinter generously refused to receive the address.

"Thank you kindly, sir," said Mr. Bashwood, getting tremulously on his
legs. "There is nothing more, I think, except--except that Mr. Pedgift
will speak for me, if you wish to inquire into my conduct in his
service. I'm very much indebted to Mr. Pedgift; he's a little rough
with me sometimes, but, if he hadn't taken me into his office, I think I
should have gone to the workhouse when I left Sir John, I was so broken
down." He picked up his dingy old hat from the floor. "I won't intrude
any longer, sir. I shall be happy to call again if you wish to have time
to consider before you decide-"

"I want no time to consider after what you have told me," replied
Midwinter, warmly, his memory busy, while he spoke, with the time when
_he_ had told _his_ story to Mr. Brock, and was waiting for a generous
word in return, as the man before him was waiting now. "To-day is
Saturday," he went on. "Can you come and give me my first lesson
on Monday morning? I beg your pardon," he added, interrupting Mr.
Bashwood's profuse expressions of acknowledgment, and stopping him on
his way out of the room; "there is one thing we ought to settle, ought
we not? We haven't spoken yet about your own interest in this matter;
I mean, about the terms." He referred, a little confusedly, to the
pecuniary part of the subject. Mr. Bashwood (getting nearer and nearer
to the door) answered him more confusedly still.

"Anything, sir--anything you think right. I won't intrude any longer;
I'll leave it to you and Mr. Armadale."

"I will send for Mr. Armadale, if you like," said Midwinter, following
him into the hall. "But I am afraid he has as little experience in
matters of this kind as I have. Perhaps, if you see no objection, we
might be guided by Mr. Pedgift?"

Mr. Bashwood caught eagerly at the last suggestion, pushing his retreat,
while he spoke, as far as the front door. "Yes, sir--oh, yes, yes!
nobody better than Mr. Pedgift. Don't--pray