"She's a good girl, a good girl, Gammon! I hope he'll use her well if he gets her." His voice trembled. "She's got very much attached to him! Gad, she's quite altered lately; and my sister tells me that she's always playing dismal music when he's not there. But we can talk over these matters at another time. Gad, Gammon, you can't think how it's relieved me, to open my mind to you on this matter! We quite understand each other _now_, Gammon--eh?" "Quite," replied Gammon, pointedly; and Mr. Quirk having quitted the room, the former prepared to answer Messrs. Runnington's letter. But first he leaned back, and reflected on several points of their late conversation. Of course, he had resolved that Miss Quirk should never become Mrs. Titmouse! And what struck him as not a little singular was this; viz. that Mr. Quirk should have made no observation on the circumstance that Gammon allowed him to risk his daughter, and her all, upon chances which he pronounced too frail to warrant advancing a thousand or two of money! Yet so it was. This was the answer he presently wrote to the letter of Messrs. Runnington:-- "_Saffron Hill, 26th April 18--._ "GENTLEMEN: "_Doe_ d. _Titmouse_ v. _Jolter_. "We are favored with your letter of this day's date; and beg to assure you how very highly we appreciate the prompt and honorable course which has been taken by your client, under circumstances calculated to excite the greatest possible commiseration. Every expression of respectful sympathy, on our parts, and on that of our client, Mr. Titmouse, which you may think fit to convey to your distinguished client, is his. "We shall be prepared to receive possession of the Yatton estates on the day you mention--namely, the 17th May next, on behalf of our client, Mr. Titmouse; on whose behalf, also, we beg to thank you for your communication concerning the last quarter's rents. "With reference to the question of the mesne profits, we cannot doubt that your client will promptly pursue the same line of honorable conduct which he has hitherto adopted; and sincerely trust that a good understanding in this matter will speedily exist between our respective clients. "As you have intimated a wish upon the subject, we beg to inform you that we have given instructions for making out and delivering our bill herein. "We are, Gentlemen, "Your obedient humble servants, "QUIRK, GAMMON, & SNAP. "MESSRS. RUNNINGTON & CO." Having finished writing the above letter, Gammon sat back in his chair, with folded arms, and entered upon a long train of thought--revolving many matters which were worthy of the profound consideration they then received.