“‘The devil! This won’t do. We must fill your exchequer somehow. You must be taken care of, my boy.’ “‘Easy to say,’ I answered, ‘but how? Unless you win me a lottery prize, or show me a hidden treasure, my cash-box is likely to continue empty.’ “‘Pshaw! hidden treasure indeed! There are always treasures to be found by clever seekers. Nothing without trouble.’ “‘I should not grudge that.’ “‘Perhaps not; but you young gentlemen are apt to be squeamish. Nasty-particular, as I may say.’ “‘Pshaw!’ said I in my turn, ‘you know I can’t afford to be that. Money I must have, no matter how.’ “I spoke thoughtlessly, and without weighing my words, but also without evil meaning. I merely meant to express my willingness to work for my living, in ways whose adoption I should have scoffed at a fortnight previously. Darvel doubtless understood me differently—thought dissipation and reckless extravagance had blunted my sense of honour and honesty, and that I was ripe for his purpose. After a minute or two’s silence— “‘By the bye,’ he said, ‘are not you intimate with the young D——s, sons of that rich old baronet Sir Marmaduke D——?’ “‘Barely acquainted,’ I replied, ‘I have seen them once or twice, but it is a long time back, and we should hardly speak if we met. They are poor silly fellows, brought up by a fool of a mother, and by a puritanical private tutor.’ “‘They have broken loose from the apron string then, for they arrived here yesterday on their way to Italy, Greece, and the Lord knows where. Why don’t you call upon them? They are good to know. They have swinging letters of credit on Paris and half the towns in Europe.’ “‘I see no use in calling on them, nor any that their letters of credit can be to me.’ “‘Pshaw! who knows? They are to be a month here. It might lead to something.’ “‘To what?’ I inquired indifferently. A gesture of impatience escaped Darvel. “‘You certainly are dull to-day—slow of comprehension, as I may say. Recollect what some play-writing man has said about the world being an oyster for clever fellows to open. Now these D——s are just the sort of natives it is pleasant to pick at, because their shells are lined with pearls. Well, since you won’t take a hint, I must speak plainly. Dine to-day at the table-d’hôte of the _Hôtel W_——. The D——s are staying there, and you are safe to fall in with them. Renew your acquaintance, or strike up a fresh one, whichever you please. You are a fellow of good address, and will have no difficulty in making friends with two such Johnny Newcomes. Ply them with Burgundy, bring them here or to my rooms, we will get Lowther and Ringwood, and it shall be a hundred pounds in your pocket.’