should we meet but Harcourt.
Harcourt immediately perceived me, and bowed low as he passed on; so
that his bow would have served for both; but Atkinson stopped. "I must
beg your pardon, Harcourt, for detaining you a moment, but what are the
odds upon the Vestris colt for the Derby?"

"Upon my word, Captain Atkinson, I was told, but I have forgotten."

"Your memory appears bad, for you have also forgotten your old friend,
Mr Newland."

"I beg your pardon, Mr Newland."

"There is no occasion to beg my pardon, Mr Harcourt," interrupted I;
"for I tell you plainly, that I despise you too much to ever wish to be
acquainted with you. You will oblige me, sir, by never presuming to
touch your hat, or otherwise notice me." Harcourt coloured, and started
back. "Such language, Mr Newland--"

"Is what you deserve: ask your own conscience. Leave us, sir;" and I
walked on with Captain Atkinson. "You have done well, Newland,"
observed Atkinson: "he cannot submit to that language, for he knows that
I have heard it. A meeting you will of course have no objection to. It
will be of immense advantage to you."

"None whatever," replied I; "for if there is any one man who deserves to
be punished for his conduct towards me, it is Harcourt. Will you come
up, Captain Atkinson, and, if not better engaged, take a quiet dinner
and a bottle of wine with me?"

Our conversation during dinner was desultory; but after the first
bottle, Atkinson became communicative, and his history not only made me
feel better inclined towards him, but afforded me another instance, as
well as Carbonnell's, how often it is that those who would have done
well are first plundered, and then driven to desperation by the
heartlessness of the world. The cases, however, had this difference,
that Carbonnell had always contrived to keep his reputation above water,
while that of Atkinson was gone and never to be re-established. We had
just finished our wine when a note was brought from Harcourt, informing
me that he should send a friend the next morning for an explanation of
my conduct. I handed it over to Atkinson. "My dear sir, I am at your
service," replied he, "without you have anybody among your acquaintances
whom you may prefer."

"Thank you," replied I, "Captain Atkinson: it cannot be in better
hands."

"That is settled, then; and now where shall we go?"

"Wherever you please."

"Then I shall try if I can win a little money to-night: if you come