“Neither had I--and Podgson is totally unaware at this moment that such a project is in existence,” interrupted Mr. Styles, calmly and deliberately. “But I know how to deal with him: I have read his character from a distance;--and, although I have never yet exchanged a word with him in my life, depend upon it I shall hook him as our chairman before I am twenty-four hours older. Three minutes more!” cried the speculator: then, as if to make the most of the hundred and eighty seconds at his disposal, Mr. Styles closed the present interview in the following business-like and highly gratifying manner:--“You are both as shabby as you well can be; and you must obtain new clothes as soon as possible. Here is a ten-pound note for each of you. Moreover you must get respectable lodgings at once; and you can give a reference to me. To-morrow, at three o’clock punctually, there will be chops and sherry in readiness at my office--and I shall expect you both. Not a moment before three, remember--because you will be interrupting me: and if you’re a moment after, I shall decline any farther transactions with you. So good bye--I haven’t time to shake hands.” Thus speaking, Mr. Styles rushed from the room, it being four o’clock to an instant;--and it is perhaps as well to observe that this perfect man of business had only made an appointment with his friends at the public-house in Fleet Street, because he had another gentleman to meet in the neighbourhood at six minutes past four. CHAPTER CXXIV. CHARLES HATFIELD. It was past midnight; and in only one chamber throughout the Earl of Ellingham’s spacious mansion was a light still burning. In that chamber Charles Hatfield was pacing to and fro--his mind filled with thoughts of so bewildering, exciting, and painful a nature, that he felt the inutility of endeavouring to escape from them by retiring to his couch. This young man of twenty-five years of age,--so handsome, so intelligent, and with the certainly of inheriting vast riches,--possessing the most brilliant worldly prospects, and knowing himself to be the object of his parents’ devoted affection--entertaining, too, a profound love for the beautiful Lady Frances Ellingham, and having every reason to hope that his passion was reciprocated,--this young man, with so many advantages in respect to position, and so many sources of felicity within his view,--Charles Hatfield was restless and unhappy.