Tower, as we had
intended, my mother declared, that not one farthing would they spend more
till they were satisfied that the expenses already incurred were likely
to be reimbursed; and a Chancery suit, with all the horrors of wig and
gown, floated in spectral haziness before their imagination.

We sat down to a frugal meal, and although the remainder of a bottle of
wine, saved from the preceding day, hardly afforded a glass apiece, the
Doctor absolutely prohibited me from opening another.

This morning, faithful to the hour, we were again in Broad Street, with
hearts knit up into the most peremptory courage; and, on being announced,
were immediately admitted to Mr. Argent. He received us with the same
ease as in the first interview, and, after requesting us to be seated
(which, by the way, he did not do yesterday, a circumstance that was
ominously remarked), he began to talk on indifferent matters. I could
see that a question, big with law and fortune, was gathering in the
breasts both of the Doctor and my mother, and that they were in a state
far from that of the blessed. But one of the clerks, before they had
time to express their indignant suspicions, entered with a paper, and Mr.
Argent, having glanced it over, said to the Doctor--"I congratulate you,
sir, on the amount of the colonel's fortune. I was not indeed aware
before that he had died so rich. He has left about 120,000 pounds;
seventy-five thousand of which is in the five per cents; the remainder in
India bonds and other securities. The legacies appear to be
inconsiderable, so that the residue to you, after paying them and the
expenses of Doctors' Commons, will exceed a hundred thousand pounds."

My father turned his eyes upwards in thankfulness. "But," continued Mr.
Argent, "before the property can be transferred, it will be necessary for
you to provide about four thousand pounds to pay the duty and other
requisite expenses." This was a thunderclap. "Where can I get such a
sum?" exclaimed my father, in a tone of pathetic simplicity. Mr. Argent
smiled and said, "We shall manage that for you"; and having in the same
moment pulled a bell, a fine young man entered, whom he introduced to us
as his son, and desired him to explain what steps it was necessary for
the Doctor to take. We accordingly followed Mr. Charles Argent to his
own room.

Thus, in less time than I have been in writing it, were we put in
possession of all the information we require