l me anything I want, specially keeping in mind any
movements his lordship may make. You see, he's forgetful, and don't
write to me, and a long journey like this, to find him gone, would be
rather a nuisance, do you see? Ah! I see you understand; and, I dare
say, when you've fairly worn out that piece of paper, I can find you
another."

Now, as the said piece of paper was a five-pound note, Mr Willis, his
lordship's valet, had no difficulty at all in promising to make the
necessary memoranda. It was strange, too, how very much Mr Braham
appeared to change in his sight. It would be a queer thing, thought the
valet, if his lordship's confidential man of business couldn't have a
bit of breakfast after his journey; so, requesting the visitor to ring
when he was ready to go up to his lordship's room, he prepared to leave.

"No, don't go, my man," said Braham, "I've just done. That was the
young lady, I suppose?"

"Yes, sir; that's her," said Willis.

"Ah! Nice girl. Thanks--yes, you in ay open a bottle of claret. Fine
place this, my man. If I were you, I should stick to his lordship.
Money is tight in the city, sometimes--eh? Ha--ha--ha! We know--eh?
But it will all come right; and if I were you, I should go in for the
butlership. It'll come to that by-and-by, I dare say."

Mr Braham condescended to wink at the servant, and the valet made bold
to wink in reply; and, at last rising, Mr Braham was ushered into Lord
Maudlaine's room.

"De do, Mr Braham?" said his lordship, languidly; and then, as the door
closed on the valet: "Con-found you! what the deuce brought you here?"

"Customary conveyance, my lord," said the Jew, coolly.

"But what could induce you to come down here and spoil all?" exclaimed
the Viscount.

"Your honourable lordship's extreme want of punctuality," said the
unwelcome visitor.

"Punctuality!--what do you mean?" said his lordship, fiercely.

"Nothing--nothing," said the Jew, nonchalantly, as he lolled back in his
chair, after helping himself to one of the cigars on the table, and
preparing to smoke. "I see from your lordship's freedom of
conversation, that you possess the happy independent spirit given by
money. I see you are quite prepared."

"Prepared--prepared for what?" gasped the recumbent debtor.

"Oh! only to meet my demands! I did wait a week; but as I did not hear
from you, I was obliged to come and remind you."

"Remind me of what?" exclaimed the Viscount.

"Oh!