"Make the best bargain you can, Newland," said Harcourt: "accept his offer; for, depend upon it, it will be saving in the end." "It certainly deserves consideration," replied I; "and the major's company must be allowed to have its due weight in the scale; if Carbonnell will promise to be a little more economical--" "I will, my dear fellow--I will act as your steward, and make your money last as long as I can, for my _own sake_, as well as yours. Is it a bargain? I have plenty of room for your servant, and if he will assist me a little, I will discharge my own." I then consented to the arrangement. PART ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. THE MAJOR TEACHES US HOW TO PLAY WHIST SO AS NEVER TO LOSE, WHICH IS BY PLAYING AGAINST EACH OTHER, AND INTO EACH OTHER'S HANDS. The next day I went to the banker's, drew out 150 pounds and set off with Timothy for --. Fleta threw herself into my arms, and sobbed with joy. When I told her Timothy was outside, and wished to see her, she asked why he did not come in; and, to show how much she had been accustomed to see, without making remarks, when he made his appearance in his livery, she did not, by her countenance, express the least surprise, nor, indeed, did she put any questions to me on the subject. The lady who kept the school praised her very much for docility and attention, and shortly after left the room. Fleta then took the chain from around her neck into her hand, and told me that she did recollect something about it, which was, that the lady whom she remembered, wore a long pair of ear-rings, of the same make and materials. She could not, however, call to mind anything else. I remained with the little girl for three hours, and then returned to London--taking my luggage from the hotel, and installed myself into the apartments of Major Carbonnell. The major adhered to his promise; we certainly lived well, for he could not live otherwise; but in every other point he was very careful not to add to expense. The season was now over, and everybody of consequence quitted the metropolis. To remain in town would be to lose caste, and we had a conference where we should proceed. "Newland," said the major, "you have created a sensation this season, which has done great honour to my patronage; but I trust, next spring, that I shall see you form a good alliance; for, believe me, out of the many heartless beings we have mingled with, there are still not only daughters, but mothers, who are not influenced by base and sordid views." "Why, Carbonnell, I never heard you venture upon so long a moral speech before."