k down upon the scene,
and he plainly saw that clutch of the hand upon the sleeve. "Big as
he is," said Robinson to himself, "pistols would make us equal. But
the huge ox has no sense of chivalry."

It was unfortunate for the future intrinsic comfort of the firm that
that member of it who was certainly not the least enterprising should
have found himself unable to join in the ceremony of opening the
house; but, nevertheless, it must be admitted that that ceremony was
imposing. Maryanne Brown was looking her best, and dressed as she was
in the correctest taste of the day, wearing of course the colours of
the house, it was not unnatural that all eyes should be turned on
her. "What a big man that Robinson is!" some one in the crowd was
heard to observe. Yes; that huge lump of human clay that called
itself William Brisket, the butcher of Aldersgate Street, was
actually taken on that occasion for the soul, and life, and salt of
an advertising house. Of Mr. William Brisket, it may here be said,
that he had no other idea of trade than that of selling at so much
per pound the beef which he had slaughtered with his own hands.

But that ceremony was imposing. "Ladies and gentlemen," said those
five there assembled--speaking as it were with one voice,--"we bid
you welcome to Magenta House. Nine times nine is eighty-one. Never
forget that." Robinson had planned the words, but he was not there to
assist at their utterance! "Ladies and gentlemen, again we bid you
welcome to Magenta House." And then they retired backwards down the
shop, allowing the crowd to press forward, and all packed themselves
for awhile into Mr. Brown's little room at the back.

"It was smart," said Mr. Brisket.

"And went off uncommon well," said Jones, shaking the scent from his
head. "All the better, too, because that chap wasn't here."

"He's a clever fellow," said Brisket.

"And you shouldn't speak against him behind his back, Jones. Who did
it all? And who couldn't have done it if he hadn't been here?" When
these words were afterwards told to George Robinson, he forgave Mr.
Brown a great deal.

The architect, acting under the direction of Mr. Robinson, had
contrived to arch the roof, supporting it on five semicircular iron
girders, which were left there visible to the eye, and which were of
course painted magenta. On the foremost of these was displayed the
name of the firm,--Brown, Jones, and Robinson. On the second, the
name of the house,--Magent