him in
whispered conference. This colloquy did not escape the young gentlemen
round the fire-place: they glanced toward each other.

"Settling the per centage on renewal," said one, _sotto voce_.

"X. Y. does not seem such a very bad fellow," said another.

"He looks rich, and talks rich," said a third.

"A decided independent way of expressing his sentiments; those moneyed men
generally have."

"Good heavens!" ejaculated Spendquick, who had been keeping his eye
anxiously fixed on the pair. "do look; X. Y. is actually taking out his
pocket-book; he is coming this way. Depend on it he has got our bills--mine
is due tomorrow."

"And mine too," said another, edging off. "Why, it is a perfect _guet a
pens_."

Meanwhile, breaking away from the Baron, who appeared anxious to detain
him, and failing in that attempt, turned aside, as if not to see Dick's
movements--a circumstance which did did not escape the notice of the group,
and confirmed all their suspicions, Mr. Avenel, with a serious, thoughtful
air, and a slow step, approached the group. Nor did the great Roman
general more nervously "flutter the dove-cotes in Corioli," than did the
advance of the supposed X. Y. agitate the bosoms of Lord Spendquick and
his sympathizing friends. Pocket-book in hand, and apparently feeling for
something formidable within its mystic recesses, step by step came Dick
Avenel toward the fire-place. The group stood still, fascinated by horror.

"Hum," said Mr. Avenel, clearing his throat.

"I don't like that hum at all," muttered Spendquick.

"Proud to have made your acquaintance, gentlemen," said Dick, bowing.

The gentlemen, thus addressed, bowed low in return.

"My friend the Baron thought this not exactly the time to--" Dick stopped a
moment; you might have knocked down those four young gentlemen, though
four finer specimens of humanity no aristocracy in Europe could
produce--you might have knocked them down with a feather! "But," renewed
Avenel, not finishing his sentence, "I have made it a rule in life never
to lose securing a good opportunity: in short, to make the most of the
present moment. And," added he, with a smile, which froze the blood in
Lord Spendquick's veins, "the rule has made me a very warm man! Therefore,
gentlemen, allow me to present you each with one of these"--every hand
retreated behind the back of its well-born owner--when, to the
inexpressible relief of all, Dick concluded with--"a little _soiree
dan