ou every man in the room. That
little fellow, with the punch-colored shorts, is chairman of the Royal
Canal Company. I know _him_, and he knows _me_. He had me 'up' about a
roulette-table on board of one of the boats, and if it had n't been for
a trifling incident that occurred to his wife at Boulogne, where she
went for the bathing, and which I broke to him in confidence--But stay,
he's coming over to speak to me."

"How d'ye do, Captain Davis?" said the stranger, with the air of a man
resolved to brave a difficulty, while he threw into the manner a tone of
haughty patronage.

"Pretty bobbish, Mr. Hailes; and _you_, the same I hope."

"Well, thank you. You never paid me that little visit you promised at
Leixlip."

"I 've been so busy of late; up to my ears, as they say. Going to start
a new company, and thinking of asking your assistance too."

"What's the nature of it?"

"Well, it's a kind of a mutual self-securing sort of thing against
family accidents. You understand,--a species of universal guarantee to
insure domestic peace and felicity,--a thing that will come home to
us all; and I only want a few good names in the direction, to give the
shares a push."

Beecher looked imploringly, to try and restrain him; but he went on,--

"May I take the liberty to put you down on the committee of management?"

Before any answer could come to this speech, Mr. Clowes called out in a
deep voice,--

"Mr. Annesley Beecher and Captain Davis;" and flung wide the door for
them to pass out.

"Why did you say that to him, Grog?" whispered Beecher, as they moved
along.

"Just because I was watching the way he looked at me. He had a hardy,
bold expression on his face that showed he needed a reminder, and so I
gave him one. Always have the first blow when you see a fellow means to
strike you."

Mr. Davenport Dunn rose as the visitors entered the' room, and having
motioned to them to be seated, took his place with his back to the
fire,--a significant intimation that he did not anticipate a lengthy
review. Whether it was that he had not previously settled in his own
mind how to open the object of his visit, or that something in Dunn's
manner and appearance unlike what he anticipated had changed his
intention; but certain is it that Beecher felt confused and embarrassed,
and when reminded by Dunn's saying, "I am at your service, sir," he
turned a most imploring look towards Davis to come to his rescue. The
captain, however,