man, and I thought myself as sure of thirty pound, as if I had it in
my pocket. And dammy, I owe my man Lightfoot fourteen pound now which
he's lent and paid for me: and he duns me--the confounded impudent
blackguard: and I wish to Heaven I knew any way of getting a bill done,
or of screwing a little out of my lady! I'll give you half, Ned, upon
my soul and honour, I'll give you half if you can get anybody to do us a
little fifty."

But Ned said sternly that he had given his word of honour, as a
gentleman, that he would be no party to any future bill transactions in
which her husband might engage (who had given his word of honour too),
and the Chevalier said that he, at least, would keep his word, and would
black his own boots all his life rather than break his promise. And what
is more, he vowed he would advise Lady Clavering that Sir Francis was
about to break his faith towards her upon the very first hint which he
could get that such was Clavering's intention.

Upon this information Sir Francis Clavering, according to his custom,
cried and cursed very volubly. He spoke of death as his only resource.
He besought and implored his dear Strong, his best friend, his dear old
Ned, not to throw him over: and when he quitted his dearest Ned, as he
went down the stairs of Shepherd's Inn, swore and blasphemed at Ned as
the most infernal villain, and traitor, and blackguard, and coward under
the sun, and wished Ned was in his grave, and in a worse place, only he
would like the confounded ruffian to live, until Frank Clavering had had
his revenge out of him.

In Strong's chambers the Baronet met a gentleman whose visits were
now, as it has been shown, very frequent in Shepherd's Inn, Mr. Samuel
Huxter, of Clavering. That young fellow, who had poached the walnuts in
Clavering Park in his youth, and had seen the Baronet drive through the
street at home with four horses, and prance up to church with powdered
footmen, had an immense respect for his Member, and a prodigious delight
in making his acquaintance. He introduced himself with much blushing
and trepidation, as a Clavering man--son of Mr. Huxter, of the
market-place--father attended Sir Francis's keeper, Coxwood, when
his gun burst and took off three fingers--proud to make Sir Francis's
acquaintance. All of which introduction Sir Francis received
affably. And honest Huxter talked about Sir Francis to the chaps at
Bartholomew's: and told Fanny, in the lodge, that, after all,