which he had given to Huckaback, was probably, in point of law, not worth a farthing, on the ground of its being both fraudulent and usurious; and intimated something, which Titmouse did not very distinctly comprehend, about the efficacy of a bill in equity for a _discovery_; which--merely to expose villany--at a very insignificant expense, (not exceeding £100,) would enable the plaintiff in equity to put the defendant in equity, (_i. e._ Huckaback,) in the way of declaring, on his solemn oath, that he had advanced the full sum of £50; and having obtained this important and satisfactory result, Titmouse would have the opportunity of disproving the statement of Huckaback--_if he could_: which of course he could not. By this process, however, a little profitable employment would have been afforded to a certain distinguished firm in Saffron Hill--and that was _something_--to Gammon. "But, by the way, talking of money," said Titmouse, suddenly, "you can't think how surprising handsome Mr. Tag-rag has behaved to me!" "Indeed, my dear sir!" exclaimed Gammon, with real curiosity, "what has he done?" "Advanced to me five pounds--all of his own head!" "Are you serious, Mr. Titmouse?" inquired Gammon. Titmouse produced the change which he had obtained for Tag-rag's five-pound note, minus only the prices of the Cyanochaitanthropopoion, the Damascus cream, and the eyeglass. Gammon merely stroked his chin in a thoughtful manner. So occupied, indeed, was he with his reflections, that though his eye was fixed on the ludicrous figure of Titmouse, which so shortly before had occasioned him such paroxysms of laughter, he did not feel the least inclination even to a smile. Tag-rag advance Titmouse five pounds! A-hem!--Throwing as much smiling indifference into his manner as was possible, he asked Titmouse the particulars of so strange a transaction. Titmouse answered (how truly the reader can judge) that Mr. Tag-rag had, in the very handsomest way, volunteered the loan of five pounds; and moreover offered him any further sum he might require! "What a charming change, Mr. Titmouse!" exclaimed Gammon, with a watchful eye and anxious smile. "Most delightful, 'pon my soul!" "Rather sudden, too!--eh?--Mr. Titmouse?" "Why--no--no; I should say, 'pon my life, certainly not. The fact is, we've long misunderstood each other. He's had an uncommon good opinion of me all the while--people _have_ tried to set him against me; but it's no use, he's found them out--he told me so! And he's not only said, but _done_ the handsome thing! He's turned up, by Jove, a trump all of a sudden--though it's long looked an ugly card, to be sure!" "Ha, ha, ha!--very!--how curious!" exclaimed Mr. Gammon, mechanically; revolving several important matters in his mind. "I'm going, too, to dine at Satin Lodge, Mr. Tag-rag's country house, next Sunday." "Indeed! It will be quite a change for you, Mr. Titmouse!"