s to be done?"

"Here 's the patent treasury for pocket use the 'Young Man's Best
Companion,'" said he, taking out of a black morocco case three or four
blank bill-stamps, together with a mass of acceptances of various kinds,
the proceeds of various play debts, the majority of which he well knew
to be valueless. "What amount will be sufficient, how much shall we draw
for?" said he, seating himself, pen in hand, at the table.

"I cannot even guess," said she, trembling with embarrassment and
confusion. "There are all these people's accounts and letters. I suppose
they are all horrid cheats. I 'm sure I never got half the things, and
that the rest are already paid for. But no matter now; let us have done
with them at any cost."

"'Morlandi, coachmaker' pretty well for Signer Morlandi!" said Norwood
"eleven hundred scudi for repairs to carriages for destroying your
patent axles, and replacing English varnish by the lacquer of a tea-tray
something less than two hundred and fifty pounds!"

"He is an obliging creature," said Lady Hester, "and always punctual."

"In that case we 'll deal generously with him. He shall have half his
money, if he gives a receipt in full."

"'Legendre, coiffeur; eight thousand francs.' Pas mal, Monsieur
Legendre! kid gloves and perfumes, Madonna bands and Macassar oil, are
costly things to deal in."

"That is really iniquitous," said Lady Hester. "I see every bouquet is
put down at a hundred francs!"

"A conservatory, at that rate, is better property than a coal-mine.
Shall we say one thousand francs for this honest coiffeur?"

"Impossible! He would scorn such an offer."

"Pardon me. I know these people somewhat better and longer than you do;
and so far even from suffering in his estimation if that were a matter
of any consequence you will rise in his good opinion. An Italian always
despises a dupe, but entertains a sincere respect for all who detect
knavery. I 'll set him down for one thousand, to be increased to fifteen
hundred if he'll tell me how to cut down his neighbor, Guercini."

"What of Guercini? How much is his claim?"

"A trifle under five thousand crowns."

"Nearly one thousand pounds!" exclaimed she. "Say, rather, eleven
hundred and upwards," said Norwood.

"It is incredible how little I've had from him: a few trifling rings and
brooches; some insignificant alterations and new settings; one or two
little presents to Kate; and, I really believe, nothing more."

"We a