you understand that? You may drink, or let it alone;
but pay you must. Why, Mussy, what d'ye think?--there's Carter,
Ricketts and Carter;--I'm blessed if Carter just now didn't beg for
two months, as though two months would be all the world to him, and
that for a trumpery five hundred pounds. I never saw money like it
is now; never." To this appeal, Musselboro made no reply, not caring,
perhaps, at the present moment to sustain his partner. He still
balanced himself in his chair, and still kept his hat on his head.
Even Mr. Crosbie began to perceive that Mr. Musselboro's genius was in
the ascendant in Hook Court.

"I can hardly believe," said Crosbie, "that things can be so bad that
I cannot have a bill for two hundred and fifty pounds renewed when I
am willing to pay for the accommodation. I have not done much in the
way of bills, but I never had one dishonoured yet."

"Don't let this be the first," said Dobbs Broughton.

"Not if I can prevent it," said Crosbie. "But to tell you the truth,
Mr. Broughton, my bill will be dishonoured unless I can have it
renewed. If it does not suit you to do it, I suppose you can
recommend me to some one who can make it convenient."

"Why don't you go to your bankers?" said Musselboro.

"I never did ask my bankers for anything of the kind."

"Then you should try what your credit with them is worth," said
Broughton. "It isn't worth much here, as you can perceive. Ha, ha,
ha!"

Crosbie, when he heard this, became very angry; and Musselboro,
perceiving this, got out of his chair, so that he might be in
readiness to prevent any violence, if violence were attempted.
"It really is no good your staying here," he said. "You see that
Broughton has been drinking. There's no knowing what he may say or
do."

"You be blowed," said Broughton, who had taken the arm-chair as soon
as Musselboro had left it.

"But you may believe me in the way of business," continued
Musselboro, "when I tell you that it really does not suit us to renew
the bill. We're pressed ourselves, and we must press others."

"And who will do it for me?" said Crosbie, almost in despair.

"There are Burton and Bangles there, the wine-merchants down in the
yard; perhaps they may accommodate you. It's all in their line; but
I'm told they charge uncommon dear."

"I don't know Messrs. Burton and Bangles," said Crosbie.

"That needn't stand in your way. You tell them where you come from,
and they'll make inquiry. If they