"There--you shall have your own way then. But, by the by," added Chichester, a sudden thought appearing to strike him, "you are going into the City, and to your banker's?" "Yes. And you?" "I am anxious to get back to the West End as hastily as possible," answered Chichester. "You could do me a service, if you would?" "Name it," said Richard. "Get this note changed for me in the City," returned Chichester: and as he spoke he drew a Bank of England note for five hundred pounds from his pocket. "Oh! certainly," cried Markham; and he took charge of the note accordingly. He and Mr. Chichester then separated. Richard mounted his horse and rode towards the City, while his friend proceeded to the West End. At seven o'clock Richard was ushered into Sir Rupert Harborough's drawing-room in Conduit-street, Hanover Square. "There!" exclaimed Chichester, who was lounging upon the sofa; "I knew that my melancholy young gentleman would be punctual." "Delighted to see you, Markham," said the baronet, pressing his hand with more than usual fervour. "How are you, my tulip?" shouted Talbot. "Why, Chichester said you had the blue devils!" "I really felt unequal to society to-day," returned Richard; "and I fancied that a little rest----" "A little humbug!" ejaculated Mr. Talbot. "That's all my eye and my elbow, Markham. A d--d good bottle of champagne will soon put you to rights. But when I'm ill, what do you think I always take?" "I really can't guess." "Why, going to bed I always take a pint of dog's nose. There's nothing like dog's-nose for getting into the system. You must have it in the pewter, you know--and nice and hot: you will then sweat a bucket-full in the course of the night, and get up in the morning as right as a trivet. I can assure you there's nothing like dog's-nose." "And pray what is dog's-nose!" enquired Richard. "Well, may I be hanged! you are jolly green not to know what dog's-nose is! You take half a pint of the best half-and-half--or you may have ale all alone, if you like--a quartern of blue ruin----" "It is a mixture of gin, beer, and sugar," said Mr. Chichester, impatiently. "Well, and why couldn't you let me tell the gentleman how to make dog's-nose in my own manner?" asked Talbot, somewhat sulkily. "However, there's nothing better than dog's-nose for the gripes, or wind on the stomach, or the rheumatics. For my part----" "D--n your part!" cried the Honourable Arthur Chichester, now absolutely losing all patience. Fortunately for all parties, the door was at that moment thrown open, and a valet announced that dinner was served up. Richard took advantage of the haste with which Mr. Talbot rushed down stairs to the dining-room, to slip a bundle of Bank of England notes and a quantity of gold into Chichester's hand, whispering at the same time "There is your change, together with my twenty pounds for the poor family."