which mounted up to a sum infinitely larger than could have been supposed; and lastly, of the bond for ten thousand pounds, as the just reward to the firm for their long-continued, most anxious, and successful exertions on their client's behalf--Titmouse mustered up all his resolution, as for a last desperate struggle; swore they were robbing him; and added, with a furious snap of the fingers, "they had better take the estate themselves--allow him a pound a-week, and send him back to Tag-rag's." Then he burst into tears, and cried like a child, long and bitterly. "Well, sir," said Gammon, after remaining silent for some time, looking at Titmouse calmly, but with an expression of face which frightened him out of his wits, "if this is to be really the way in which I am to be treated by you--I, the only _real disinterested_ friend you have in the world, (as you have had hundreds of opportunities of ascertaining;) if my advice is to be spurned, and my motives suspected; if your first and deliberate engagements to our firm are to be wantonly broken"---- "Ah, but, 'pon my soul, I was humbugged into making them," said Titmouse, passionately. "Why, you little miscreant!" exclaimed Gammon, starting up in his chair, and gazing at him as if he would have scorched him with his eye, "Do you DARE to say so? If you have no gratitude--have you lost your _memory_? What were you when I dug you out of your filthy hole at Closet Court? Did you not repeatedly go down on your knees to us? Did you not promise, a thousand times, to do infinitely more than you are now called upon to do? And is this, you insolent--despicable little insect!--is _this_ the return you make us for putting you, a beggar--and very nearly too, an idiot"---- "You're most uncommon polite," said Titmouse, suddenly and bitterly. "Silence, sir! I am in no humor for trifling!" interrupted Gammon, sternly. "I say, is _this_ the return you think of making us; not only to insult us, but refuse to pay money actually advanced by us to save you from starvation--money, and days and nights, and weeks and months, and _many_ months of intense anxiety, expended in discovering how to put you in possession of a splendid fortune?--Poh! you miserable little trifler!--why should I trouble myself thus? Remember--remember, Tittlebat Titmouse," continued Gammon, in a low tone, and extending towards him threateningly his thin forefinger, "I who made you, will in one day--one single day--unmake you--will blow you away like a bit of froth; you shall never be seen, or heard of, or thought of, except by some small draper whose unhappy shopman you may be!" "Ah!--'pon my life! Dare say you think I'm uncommon frightened! Ah, ha! Monstrous--particular good!" said Titmouse, desperately.