Just as they were finishing dinner--a mere mockery, however, of a meal--a double knock at the door occasioned them all not a little agitation; but, as the event proved, needlessly, since it announced the arrival of only their kind, experienced friend, Mr. Runnington--who evidently felt infinitely relieved at finding that Mrs. Aubrey and Miss Aubrey had been made acquainted by Mr. Aubrey with the additional source of apprehension afforded by the report of the preceding day's doings in the King's Bench. Mr. Runnington felt assured that within twenty-four hours' time, proceedings would be taken against Mr. Aubrey; whom, however, he reminded, that as in the former, so in the anticipated case, the extent of his immediate anxiety would be the finding bail for so very serious an amount; but that difficulty surmounted, he would be safe from personal annoyance and apprehension till the ensuing November. Mr. Aubrey then apprised Mr. Runnington of the death of Lady Stratton, and the grievous events connected with it, amid the tears and sobs of Mrs. Aubrey and Kate. Though he said but little, his countenance showed how much he was shocked by the intelligence. "Never in my experience," at length he observed, "a thirty-six years' experience in the profession, have I heard of, or met with, such a case of complicated misfortune as yours! 'But it is,' as the old proverb has it, 'a long lane that has no turning.' We must trust, my dear sir, to the chapter of accidents." "Oh, Mr. Runnington!" interrupted Aubrey, with animation, "there _is_ no such thing!--It is the _order of Providence_!" They then entered into a long conversation; in the course of which--"If our fears--our worst fears--be confirmed," observed Runnington, "and they venture to put in suit these two notes--then they will have thrown down the gauntlet. I'll take it up--and there's no knowing what may happen when we come to close quarters. First and foremost, I'll tax away every farthing of the alleged 'balance' of their monstrous bill--ay, I'll stake my reputation on it, that I leave them not a shilling; but, on the contrary, prove that you have already greatly overpaid them." "Alas! have I not, however, pledged myself to Mr. Gammon _not_ to do so?" interrupted Aubrey. "Pshaw!--Forgive me, but this is absurd. Indeed, Mr. Aubrey, it is really out-heroding Herod! All is fair against adversaries such as these! Besides, if you must be so scrupulous and fastidious--and I honor you for it--there's another way of putting it, which I fancy settles the matter. By Mr. Titmouse putting these bills in suit, Messrs. Quirk, Gammon, and Snap's promise to you is not performed--it is broken; and so there is an end of yours, which is dependent upon the performance of theirs." "That is only on the supposition that they are playing me false--whereas the proceedings yesterday in court, especially when coupled with Mr. Gammon's letters to me"----