"As I am a man of business, Mr. Aubrey," said Gammon, shortly afterwards, with a very captivating smile--how frank and forgiving seeming his temper, to Aubrey!--"and this is a _place_ for business, shall we resume our conversation? With reference to the first ten thousand pounds, it can be a matter of future arrangement as to the mode of securing its payment; and as for the remaining ten thousand, if I were not afraid of rendering myself personally liable to Mr. Titmouse for neglecting my professional duty to him, I should be content with your verbal promise--your mere word of honor, to pay it, as and when you conveniently could. But in justice to myself, I really must take a _show_ of security from you. Say, for instance, two promissory notes, for £5,000 each, payable to Mr. Titmouse. You may really regard them as matters of mere form; for, when you shall have given them to me, they will be deposited _there_," (pointing to an iron safe,) "and not again be heard of until you may have thought proper to inquire for them. The influence which I happen to have obtained over Mr. Titmouse, you may rely upon my exercising with some energy, if ever he should be disposed to press you for payment of either of the instruments I have mentioned. I tell you candidly that they must be _negotiable_ in point of form; but I assure you, as sincerely, that I will not permit them to be negotiated. _Now_, may I venture to hope that we understand each other?" added Gammon, with a cheerful air; "and that this arrangement, if I shall be only able to carry it into effect, is a sufficient evidence of my desire to serve you, and will relieve you from an immense load of anxiety and liability?" "An immense--a crushing load, indeed, sir, if Providence shall in any manner (to me at present undiscoverable) enable me to perform _my_ part of the arrangement, and if _you_ have but power to carry your views into effect," replied Mr. Aubrey, sighing heavily, but with a look of gratitude. "Leave that to _me_, Mr. Aubrey; I will undertake to do it; I will move heaven and earth to do it--and the more eagerly, that I may thereby hope to establish a kind of set-off against the misery and loss which my professional exertions have unfortunately contributed to occasion you--and your honored family!" "I feel deeply sensible of your very great--your unexpected kindness, Mr. Gammon; but still, the arrangement suggested is one which occasions me dreadful anxiety as to my being ever able to carry out _my_ part of it."