h of coals.'

'Why, 'tayn't four hundred chaldron, Captin,' rejoined Mr. Levison.
'Three or four friends would do the thing. Why, Baron Squash takes ten
thousand chaldron of us every year; but he has such a knack, he gits the
Clubs to take them.'

'Baron Squash, indeed! Do you know whom you are talking to, Mr. Levison?
Do you think that I am going to turn into a coal merchant? your
working partner, by Jove! No, sir; give me the 700L., without the coals,
and charge what interest you please.' 'We could not do it, Captin.
'Tayn't our way.' 'I ask you once more, Mr. Levison, will you let me
have the money, or will you not?'

'Now, Captin, don't be so high and mighty! 'Tayn't the way to do
business. Me and my pardner wish to sarve you; we does indeed. And if
a hundred pound will be of any use to you, you shall have it on your
acceptance; and we won't be curious about any name that draws; we won't
indeed.'

'Well, Mr. Levison,' said Ferdinand, rising, 'I see we can do nothing
to-day. The hundred pounds would be of no use to me. I will think over
your proposition. Good morning to you.'

'Ah, do!' said Mr. Levison, bowing and opening the door, 'do, Captin; we
wish to sarve you, we does indeed. See how we behave about that arrears.
Think of the coals; now do. Now for a bargin; come! Come, Captin, I dare
say now you could get us the business of the Junior Sarvice Club; and
then you shall have the seven hundred on your acceptance for three
months, at two shillings in the pound; come!'

CHAPTER XI.

_In Which Captain Armine Unexpectedly Resumes His
Acquaintance with Lord Catchimwhocan, Who Introduces Him
to Mr. Bond Sharpe_.

FERDINAND quitted his kind friend Mr. Levison in no very amiable mood;
but just as he was leaving the house, a cabriolet, beautifully painted,
of a brilliant green colour picked out with a somewhat cream-coloured
white, and drawn by a showy Holstein horse of tawny tint, with a flowing
and milk-white tail and mane, and caparisoned in harness almost as
precious as Mr. Levison's sideboard, dashed up to the door.

'Armine, by Jove!' exclaimed the driver, with great cordiality.

'Ah! Catch, is it you?' said Ferdinand. 'What! have you been here?'
said Lord Catchimwhocan. 'At the old work, eh? Is "me and my pardner"
troublesome? for your countenance is not very radiant.'

'By Jove, old fellow!' said Ferdinand, in a depressed tone, 'I am in a
scrape, and also in a rage. Nothing i