"Pleased to hear you say so. There's more to tell. It is not putting down the two hundred pounds and saying good-bye to it; it will come back in less than no time. The first profits of the piece will be devoted to repaying the amount, so that there is really very little risk, if any. Having stated his conditions the manager of the Star retires, and we retire also, to consider ways and means. Now I needn't tell you, Leth, that we can just as easily lay our hands upon two hundred pounds as we can bring the man in the moon down from the skies. The question then is--how to raise it? A serious question. We consider long, and at length a bright idea flashes upon me. I have, in an indirect way, made the acquaintance of a man who discounts bills. The acquaintance is slight--very slight; but faint heart, you know, and I go to him. I will mention his name to you; but it must be done in confidence--between ourselves." "Yes," said Mr. Lethbridge. "His name is Pamflett--Jeremiah Pamflett." "I know the name of Pamflett," said Mr. Lethbridge. "The father of my niece Phoebe, who is just now on a visit to us----" "The dearest, sweetest girl!" said Kiss, in explanation to Mr. Linton. "Has a housekeeper of that name. Can Mr. Jeremiah Pamflett be a connexion of hers?" "It is not unlikely," said Kiss; "to speak the truth, it is quite likely. But that is not material, is it?" "No," said Mr. Lethbridge, with a slight pause for consideration; "I don't think it is. I believe he manages some kind of business for Phoebe's father." "For Miser Farebrother? Yes, that is so; but he does business also on his own account. As I was saying, I go to Mr. Pamflett, and I lay the case before him; but he says he doesn't see his way to doing a bill for me and Linton without other names upon it. I run over the names of a few friends who would be willing to sign it, but Mr. Pamflett still demurs. It was then that the bright idea flashes upon me; I think of you. To come to you and ask you to lend us two hundred pounds was, of course, out of the question." "I regret to say it would be," said Mr. Lethbridge. "Nothing would give me greater pleasure if it were in my power." "I know, and therefore we have not come here with any such idea; but your name occurring to me while I was talking to Mr. Pamflett, I naturally mention it. He meets me instantly. He knows all about you and your family." "He has never been here," interposed Mr. Lethbridge. "He spoke most kindly of you, and said he had the greatest respect for you----" "To my knowledge," again interposed Mr. Lethbridge, "I have never seen his face. I shouldn't know him from Adam if he stood before me now."