It was done, and they were man and wife. Well, even the happiest marriage is always a good thing to get over. It was not a long drive back to Hanover-square, and the very first sight that greeted them on their arrival was the infant from the City (John’s), accompanied by his brother, the infant from Pump-court (James’), who had, presumably, come to show him the way, or more probably because he thought that there would be eatables going—holding in his hand a legal-looking letter. “Marked ‘_immediate_,’ Sir; so I thought that I had better serve it at once,” said the first infant, handing the letter to John. “What is it?” asked Eustace, nervously. He had grown to hate the sight of a lawyer’s letter with a deadly hate. “Notice of appeal, I expect,” said John. “Open it, man!” said Eustace, “and let’s get it over.” Accordingly, John did so, and read as follows:— “MEESON _v._ ADDISON AND ANOTHER “Dear Sir,—After consultation with our clients, Messrs. Addison and Roscoe, we are enabled to make you the following offer. If no account is required of the mesne profits”— “That’s a wrong term,” said James, irritably. “Mesne profits refer to profits derived from real estate. Just like a solicitor to make such a blunder.” “The term is perfectly appropriate,” replied his twin, with warmth. “There was some real estate, and, therefore, the term can properly be applied to the whole of the income.” “For Heaven’s sake, don’t argue but get on!” said Eustace. “Don’t you see that I am on tenterhooks?” “—my clients,” continued John, “are ready to undertake that no appeal shall be presented to the recent case of Meeson _v._ Addison and Another. If, however, the plaintiff insists upon an account, the usual steps will be taken to bring the matter before a higher court.—Obediently yours, “NEWS AND NEWS. John Short, Esq. “P.S.—An immediate reply will oblige.” “Well, Meeson, what do you say to that?” said John; “but I beg your pardon, I forgot; perhaps you would like to take counsel’s advice,” and he pointed to James, who was rubbing his bald head indignantly. “Oh, no, I should not,” answered Eustace; “I’ve quite made up my mind. Let them stick to their mesne” (here James made a face); “Well, then, to their middle or intermediate or their anything else profits. No appeals for me, if I can avoid it. Send News a telegram.” “That,” began James, in his most solemn and legal tones, “is a view of the matter in which I am glad to be able to heartily coincide, although it seems to me that there are several points, which I will touch on one by one.” “Good gracious! no,” broke in Lady Holmhurst; “but I think it is rather _mean_ of them, don’t you, Mr. Short?” James looked puzzled. “I do not quite take Lady Holmhurst’s point,” he said plaintively. “Then you must be stupid,” said Eustace, “Don’t you see the joke?—‘_mesne_ profits,’ _mean_ of them?”