"Yes," said Mr. Effingham to himself, as he stopped and surveyed the scene, "this is better than my lodgings in Doory Lane, this is! No end better! And why should this fellow have it, and not me--that's what I want to know? I could do it up pretty brown, here, I'm thinkin'; not like him--not in the same way, that is, but quite as good. There mighn't be so many nobs, but there'd be plenty of good fellers; and as for the nobs, Lord bless you, when they found there was plenty of good grub and drink, and good fun to be had, they'd come fast enough. I should just like to try it, that's all; I'd show him. And why shouldn't I try it? Not in this way, perhaps--not to cut it quite so fat as this, but still reg'lar comfortable and nice. A nice little box at Finchley or Hampstead, with a bit o' lawn, and a pony-trap, and chickens, and a spare bed for a pal,--that's my notion of comfort! And why shouldn't I have it, if I play my cards properly? Damme, I will have it! I'm sick of cadgin' about from hand to mouth, never knowin' what's goin' to turn up next. This bit o' stiff ought to be worth anything to me--anything in reason, that is to say. So, when I've once got it from our friend here, and that won't be just yet,--I must get her away from here, and have her well under my thumb, before I try that on,--when I once get, that docyment, I'll take it straight to Sir Charles, and let him have it for a sum down--must be a big sum too--and then I'll cut the whole lot of 'em, and go and live somewhere in the country by myself! That's what I'll do!" _L'appétit vient en mangeant_. When Mr. Effingham was utterly destitute he accommodated himself to his position, and lived on, from hand to mouth, in the best way he could. He retired to the back-ways and slums then, and seeing very few people much better off than he was himself, his envy and jealousy were not excited. Sir Charles's ten pounds had disturbed the little man's mental equilibrium; the readiness with which they melted in his grasp showed him how easily he could get rid of a hundred, of a thousand, of ten thousand. The sight of the comfort and luxury of Redmoor contrasted horribly with the wretchedness of his own lodging, and lashed him into a storm of rage.