with his sister, and to have made over to her any
spark of manliness he might have possessed. 'You think so, Sarah, you
think so perhaps; but you would have acted quite different, my good
fellow. You will not have forgotten that it was a maxim with
Foxey--our revered father, gentlemen--"Always suspect everybody."
That's the maxim to go through life with! If you were not actually
about to purchase your own safety when I showed myself, I suspect you'd
have done it by this time. And therefore I've done it myself, and
spared you the trouble as well as the shame. The shame, gentlemen,'
added Brass, allowing himself to be slightly overcome, 'if there is
any, is mine. It's better that a female should be spared it.'

With deference to the better opinion of Mr Brass, and more particularly
to the authority of his Great Ancestor, it may be doubted, with
humility, whether the elevating principle laid down by the latter
gentleman, and acted upon by his descendant, is always a prudent one,
or attended in practice with the desired results. This is, beyond
question, a bold and presumptuous doubt, inasmuch as many distinguished
characters, called men of the world, long-headed customers, knowing
dogs, shrewd fellows, capital hands at business, and the like, have
made, and do daily make, this axiom their polar star and compass.
Still, the doubt may be gently insinuated. And in illustration it may
be observed, that if Mr Brass, not being over-suspicious, had, without
prying and listening, left his sister to manage the conference on their
joint behalf, or prying and listening, had not been in such a mighty
hurry to anticipate her (which he would not have been, but for his
distrust and jealousy), he would probably have found himself much
better off in the end. Thus, it will always happen that these men of
the world, who go through it in armour, defend themselves from quite as
much good as evil; to say nothing of the inconvenience and absurdity of
mounting guard with a microscope at all times, and of wearing a coat of
mail on the most innocent occasions.

The three gentlemen spoke together apart, for a few moments. At the
end of their consultation, which was very brief, the Notary pointed to
the writing materials on the table, and informed Mr Brass that if he
wished to make any statement in writing, he had the opportunity of
doing so. At the same time he felt bound to tell him that they would
require his attendance, presently, bef