unwillingly, the Serjeant undertook
the task of arranging it. He wrote therefore as follows;--

Mr. Serjeant Bluestone presents his compliments to Mr.
Daniel Thwaite. Mr. Thwaite has no doubt heard of the
result of the trial by which the Countess Lovel and her
daughter have succeeded in obtaining the recognition of
their rank. It is in contemplation with the Countess and
Lady Anna Lovel to go abroad, but Lady Anna is desirous
before she goes of seeing the son of the man who was her
mother's staunch friend during many years of suffering.
Lady Anna will be at home, at No. ---- Keppel Street, at
eleven o'clock on Monday, 23rd instant, if Mr. Thwaite can
make it convenient to call then and there.

Bedford Square,
17th November, 18--.

If Mr. Thwaite could call on the Serjeant before that
date, either early in the morning at his house, or on
Saturday at his chambers, ---- ----, Inner Temple, it
might perhaps be serviceable.

The postscript had not been added without much consideration. What
would the tailor think of this invitation? Would he not be disposed
to take it as encouragement in his pernicious suit? Would he not
go to Keppel Street with a determination to insist upon the girl's
promise? The Serjeant had thought that it would be best to let the
thing take its chance. But the Serjeant's wife, and the Serjeant's
daughters, and the Countess, too, had all agreed that something if
possible should be said to disabuse him of this idea. He was to have
nine thousand pounds paid to him. Surely that might be sufficient.
But, if he was greedy and wanted more money, more money should be
given to him. Only he must be made to understand that the marriage
was out of the question. So the Serjeant again gave way, and proposed
the interview. Daniel sent back his compliments to the Serjeant
and begged to say he would do as he was bid. He would call at the
Serjeant's chambers on the Saturday, and in Keppel Street on the
following Monday, at the hours named.

On the next morning,--the first morning of his freedom from the
servitude of Wigmore Street,--he went to Messrs. Goffe and Goffe. He
got up late and breakfasted late, in order that he might feel what it
was to be an idle man. "I might now be as idle as the young Earl,"
he said to himself; "but were I to attempt it, what should I do with
myself? How should I make the hours pass by?" He felt that he was
lauding himself as