powers. Now, bearing in mind that I have no legal authority from him, and am, at the same time, only one of a firm, and assuring you that I am entailing a serious personal responsibility upon myself in what I am doing, let me throw out for your consideration my general notion of what I think ought to be done--merely my off-hand notion." "I perfectly understand you, sir--and am penetrated by a sense of gratitude! I listen to you with inexpressible anxiety," said Mr. Aubrey. "Had I been consulted," continued Mr. Gammon, "we should have proposed to you, with reference to our bill, (which I frankly acknowledge contains a much more liberal entry than would probably be allowed on taxation, but with equal truth I declare that it is none of _my_ doing,")--Gammon knew the credit for candor which this acknowledgment of a fact, of which Messrs. Runnington would quickly apprise Mr. Aubrey after examining the bill, was likely to obtain for him with Mr. Aubrey--"I say, I should have _proposed_ to you, in the first instance, the payment of our bill by easy instalments, during the next three or four years, provided you could have obtained partial security. But I am only one of three, and I know the determination of Mr. Quirk and Mr. Snap, not to listen to any proposal with reference to the mesne profits which is not based upon--in short, they say, _the bill must be paid at once without being looked into_--I mean," he added quickly, "without its being subjected to the harassing and protracted scrutiny which a distrustful, an ungrateful client, or unreasonable opponent, has it too frequently in his power to inflict. Oh, let me disguise nothing from you, my dear sir, in a conversation of this kind between two gentlemen!" continued Gammon, with an admirable air of frankness, for he perceived that Mr. Aubrey looked slightly staggered. "I am ashamed to acknowledge that our bill does contain exorbitant entries--entries which have led to very frequent and fierce disputes between me and my partners. But _what is to be done_? Mr. Quirk is--to be completely candid with you--the moneyed man of the firm; and if you were but to glance at the articles of our partnership"--Gammon shrugged his shoulders and sighed--"you would see the tyrannical extent of power over us which he has thereby secured! You observe how candid I am--perhaps foolishly so." ["I've not quite mastered him--I can tell it by his eye"--thought Gammon--"is this a game of chess between us? I wonder whether, after all, Messrs. Runnington are aware of his being here--knowing and trusting to his ability--and have put him thoroughly on his guard? He is checking strong feelings incessantly, and evidently weighing every word I utter. Misery has sharpened faculties naturally acute."] "Pray do not say so, Mr. Gammon, I fully appreciate your motives. I am devoured with anxiety for an intimation of the nature of the terms which you were about, so kindly, to specify."