as soon as I can get it. I ain't made of money. I'm
so pressed and badgered, I don't know where to turn. I shall go mad;
by Jove, I shall. I wish I was dead, for I'm the most miserable brute
alive. I say, Mr. Altamont, don't mind me. When I'm out of health--and
I'm devilish bilious this morning--hang me, I abuse everybody, and don't
know what I say. Excuse me if I've offended you. I--I'll try and get
that little business done. Strong shall try. Upon my word he shall. And
I say, Strong, my boy, I want to speak to you. Come into the office for
a minute."

Almost all Clavering's assaults ended in this ignominious way, and in
a shameful retreat. Altamont sneered after the Baronet as he left the
room, and entered into the office, to talk privately with his factotum.

"What is the matter now?" the latter asked of him. "It's the old story,
I suppose."

"D---- it, yes," the Baronet said. "I dropped two hundred in ready money
at the Little Coventry last night, and gave a cheque for three hundred
more. On her ladyship's bankers, too, for to-morrow; and I must meet
it, for there'll be the deuce to pay else. The last time she paid my
play-debts, I swore I would not touch a dice-box again, and she'll keep
her word, Strong, and dissolve partnership, if I go on. I wish I had
three hundred a year, and was away. At a German watering-place you
can do devilish well with three hundred a year. But my habits are so
d-----reckless: I wish I was in the Serpentine. I wish I was dead, by
Gad I wish I was. I wish I had never touched those confounded bones. I
had such a run of luck last night, with five for the main, and seven to
five all night, until those ruffians wanted to pay me with Altamont's
bill upon me. The luck turned from that minute. Never held the box again
for three mains, and came away cleared out, leaving that infernal cheque
behind me. How shall I pay it? Blackland won't hold it over. Hulker and
Bullock will write about it directly to her ladyship. By Jove, Ned, I'm
the most miserable brute in all England."

It was necessary for Ned to devise some plan to console the Baronet
under this pressure of grief; and no doubt he found the means of
procuring a loan for his patron, for he was closeted at Mr. Campion's
offices that day for some time. Altamont had once more a guinea or two
in his pocket, with a promise of a further settlement; and the Baronet
had no need to wish himself dead for the next two or three months at
least. And