my knowledge of the world and the law was sufficient to make me aware
that this gentleman belonged to a well-known firm of money-lending
solicitors, and I trembled to see such a person in the home of our good
Colonel. Where were the generals and the judges? Where were the fogies
and their respectable ladies? Stupid they were, and dull their company;
but better a stalled ox in their society, than Mr. Campion's jokes over
Mr. Sherrick's wines.

After the little rebuke administered by Colonel Newcome, Mrs. Mackenzie
abstained from overt hostilities against any guests of her daughter's
father-in-law; and contented herself by assuming grand and princess-like
airs in the company of the new ladies. They flattered her and poor
little Rosa intensely. The latter liked their company, no doubt. To a
man of the world looking on, who has seen the men and morals of many
cities, it was curious, almost pathetic, to watch that poor little
innocent creature fresh and smiling, attired in bright colours and
a thousand gewgaws, simpering in the midst of these darkling
people--practising her little arts and coquetries, with such a court
round about her. An unconscious little maid, with rich and rare gems
sparkling on all her fingers, and bright gold rings as many as belonged
to the late Old Woman of Banbury Cross--still she smiled and prattled
innocently before these banditti--I thought of Zerlina and the Brigands,
in Fra Diavolo.

Walking away with F. B. from one of these parties of the Colonel's, and
seriously alarmed at what I had observed there, I demanded of Bayham
whether my conjectures were not correct, that some misfortune overhung
our old friend's house? At first Bayham denied stoutly or pretended
ignorance; but at length, having reached the Haunt together, which I
had not visited since I was a married man, we entered that place of
entertainment, and were greeted by its old landlady and waitress, and
accommodated with a quiet parlour. And here F. B., after groaning and
sighing--after solacing himself with a prodigious quantity of bitter
beer--fairly burst out, and, with tears in his eyes, made a full and
sad confession respecting this unlucky Bundelcund Banking Company. The
shares had been going lower and lower, so that there was no sale now for
them at all. To meet the liabilities, the directors must have undergone
the greatest sacrifices. He did know--he did not like to think what
the Colonel's personal losses were. The respectab