"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Mr. Quirk and Mr. Gammon--but such a laugh!--not careless or hearty, but subdued, and with a dash of deference in it. "Well--it perhaps _may_ not signify much, by that time;" said Mr. Quirk, and laughed again, followed by the soft laugh of Mr. Gammon, and a kind of sharp quick sound, like a bark, from Mr. Snap. "But, gents, you'll excuse me if I say I think it _does_ signify to _me_, and a'n't any laughing matter, by any means!" quoth Titmouse, earnestly, and coloring with anger. "Without being rude, I'd rather come to business, if there's any to be done, without so much laughing at one." "Laughing at you! my dear sir,--no, no!" exclaimed all three in a breath--"laughing _with_ you," said Mr. Quirk!--"By the time you mention, you may perhaps be able to laugh at Mr. Rag-bag, and everybody else, for"---- [--"No use mincing matters?" he whispered, in a low tone, to Mr. Gammon, who nodded, but in apparently very reluctant acquiescence, and fixed his eyes earnestly on Titmouse.] "I really think we are warranted, sir, in preparing you to expect by that time--that is, you will understand, sir, if our efforts are successful in your behalf, and if you yield yourself implicitly in all things to our guidance--_that is absolutely essential_--a prospect--we say at present, you will observe, _only_ a prospect--of a surprising and splendid change in your circumstances!" Titmouse began to tremble violently, his heart beat rapidly, and his hands were bedewed with a cold moisture. "I hear, gents," said he, thickly; and he also heard a faint ringing in his ears. "It's not impossible, sir, in plain English," continued Mr. Quirk, himself growing a little excited with the important communication which trembled on the tip of his tongue, "that you may at no distant time (if you really turn out to be the person we are in search of) be put into possession of an estate of somewhere about Ten Thousand a-year"---- The words seemed to have struck Titmouse blind--as he saw nothing for some moments; then everything appeared to be swimming around him, and he felt a sort of faintness or sickness stealing over him. They had hardly been prepared for their communication's affecting their little visitor so powerfully. Mr. Snap hastened out, and in again, with a glass of water; and the earnest attentions of the three soon restored Mr. Titmouse to his senses. It was a good while, however, before he could appreciate the little conversation which they now and then addressed to him, or estimate the full importance of the astounding intelligence which Mr. Quirk had just communicated, "Beg pardon--but may I make free to ask for a little brandy and cold water, gents? I feel all over in a kind of tremble," said he, some little time afterwards.