"Humbly begging your Lordship's pardon, am not I too old? I've heard they're all a pack of overgrown schoolboys there--and learn nothing but a bit of some old languages that a'n't the least use now-a-days, seeing it a'n't _spoke_ now, anywhere"--replied Titmouse--"Besides, I've talked the thing over with Mr. Gammon, my Lord"---- "Mr. Gammon? Allow me, sir, to ask who that may be?" "One of my solicitors, my Lord; a most remarkable clever man, and an out-and-out lawyer, my Lord. It was he that found out all about my case, my Lord. If your Lordship was only to see him for a moment, your Lordship would say what a _remarkable_ clever man that is!" "You will forgive my curiosity, sir--but it must have surely required very ample means to have carried on so arduous a lawsuit as that which has just terminated so successfully?" "Oh yes, my Lord!--Quirk, Gammon, and Snap did all that; and, between me and your Lordship, I suppose I shall have to come down a pretty long figure, all on the _nail_, as your Lordship understands; but I mean them to get it all out of that respectable gent, Mr. Aubrey!"--By quietly pressing his questions, the earl got a good deal more from Titmouse than he was aware of, concerning Messrs. Quirk, Gammon, and Snap; and in doing so, conceived a special dislike for Gammon. The earl gave him some pretty decisive hints about the necessity of being on his guard with such people--and hoped that he would not commit himself to anything important without consulting his Lordship, who would of course give him the advantage of his experience in the affairs of the world, and open his eyes to the designs of those whose only object was to make a prey of him. Titmouse began to feel that here, at length, he had met with a _real_ friend--one whose suggestions were worthy of being received with the profoundest deference. Soon afterwards, he had the good fortune to please the earl, beyond expression, by venturing timidly to express his admiration of the splendid ribbon worn by his Lordship; who took the opportunity of explaining that and the other marks of distinction he wore, and others which he was entitled to wear, at great length and with much minuteness--so that he at length caused Titmouse to believe that he, Lord Dreddlington--the august head of the family--must have rendered more signal service, somehow or other, to his country, and also done more to win the admiration and gratitude of foreign countries, than most men of former or present times. His Lordship might not, perhaps, have intended it; but he went on till he had almost DEIFIED himself in the estimation of his little listener!--One very natural question was perpetually trembling on the tip of Titmouse's tongue; viz. how and when he could get such things for _himself_.