"MESSRS. RUNNINGTON & CO." "Well--I own I see nothing to find fault with," said Mr. Aubrey, calmly, but with a suppressed sigh, as soon as he had read the letter. "Rather quick work, too--is it not, Mr. Aubrey?--within an hour or two after judgment pronounced in their favor:--but, to be sure, it's very excusable, when you consider the line of business and the sort of clients that Messrs. Quirk, Gammon, and Snap are accustomed to." "I have made up my mind as to the course I shall adopt," said Mr. Aubrey. "Oh, of course, that is quite clear!" said Mr. Runnington, pouring out his coffee--"we shall stand another shot, and see if they've ammunition enough left for the purpose: and we'll tender a bill of exceptions, and carry the case into the Exchequer Chamber, and thence into the House of Lords--ah! we'll _work_ them, I warrant them!"--and he rubbed his hands, with a little excitement in his manner. "Why, Mr. Runnington," answered Mr. Aubrey, gravely, "would it not be wanton--most unconscientious--in me to put them to the expense and anxiety of a second trial, when the whole case, on both sides, has been fairly brought before both the court and the jury?" "Good heavens, Mr. Aubrey!" exclaimed Mr. Runnington, with visible amazement--"who ever heard of an estate of even one or two hundred a-year being surrendered after one assault?" "If it were ten thousand times ten thousand a-year, I would submit--after such a trial as ours!" said Mr. Aubrey, calmly. "How do we know what fraud and perjury may have been resorted to in order to secure the late verdict, and which we may have the means of exploding against the next trial? Ah, Mr. Aubrey, you don't know the character of Messrs. Quirk, Gammon, and Snap in the profession; they learn a fresh trick from every scoundrel, swindler, and thief, whose case they undertake." "I thought that fraud and perjury were never to be presumed, Mr. Runnington! Besides, had we not the advantage of most eminent, acute, and experienced counsel? How could it escape _them_?" "I would only venture to remind you," said Mr. Runnington, firmly but respectfully, "of the observations of the Attorney-General, at our last consultation." "I thought I was unanswered, Mr. Runnington, though I did not feel at liberty to press the matter," replied Mr. Aubrey, with a melancholy smile. "Excuse me, but we _must_ take the chance of a second trial," said Mr. Runnington. "I have decided upon the course I shall adopt," replied Mr. Aubrey, calmly and determinedly--"I beg you, Mr. Runnington, to write this day to the gentlemen upon the other side, and inform them that within three weeks I shall be prepared to deliver up possession of Yatton." "My dear sir!--Do I hear aright?" exclaimed Mr. Runnington, with some agitation. "Deliver up possession of the estates? and within three weeks? My ears are deceiving me!" "That was what I said--or meant to say--Mr. Runnington," replied Mr. Aubrey, rather peremptorily.