"Who is the lady, then?" The Viscount flushed deeply, bit his lips, and was silent; for to answer this question seemed to him too great a humiliation. "Who is the lady?" was asked again. There was no answer. "I suppose you don't want my help, then?" said the Jew. "Just as you like. Prove to me that this is worth my while to wait--say six or twelve months--and I'll lend you a few hundreds to go on with. But, there, I'm not anxious; just as you like. Shall I call up the men?" "Confound you, no!" exclaimed the young man, angrily. "She is the daughter of a wealthy baronet, of Lincolnshire. Now are you satisfied?" "No," said the Jew, taking out pencil and pocket-book; "I want his name." "Good old family," said the Viscount, hastily. "Only child. I am invited down there, and the baronet is quite willing. Will that do?" "Name--name--name!" exclaimed the creditor, impatiently. "Sir Murray Gernon. There, then!" cried the young man, furiously. "Sir Murray Gernon," said the Jew, quietly, as he tapped his teeth with his large gold pencil-case--"Sir Murray Gernon. Ah! let me see; there was a screw loose there, if I recollect right, years ago. Rich family, though--very. Young lady's mamma bolted, I think; but that don't matter to you. Yes, that will do, Viscount--that will do. I think I'll wait." "And you will advance me what I require?" said his lordship, eagerly, forgetting all humiliation in his brightened prospects. "In reason, yes," said the Jew, with a mocking smile once more overspreading his face; "but I shall not do it for nothing, my Lord Viscount Maudlaine--I shall not do it for nothing." "No," muttered the young man, "I know that." "It's quite possible that I may go so far as to make my own terms," said the Jew, with a grin. "But I'll leave you, now, to think over the matter; and if you want any little help, of course you'll come to my chambers, where we can renew one of the bills." "Confound the bills!" cried the young man, angrily; "I must have a cheque for some hard cash to go on with." "Very good. Come to me, then, my lord," said the Jew, all suavity once more. "Excuse me for hurrying away, but it is for your sake. It is not seemly to have Sheriffs' officers waiting opposite to an hotel. Good morning, my lord!" "Good morning!" said the Viscount, sulkily. "You shall fly a little longer, my fine bird--just a little longer!" said Mr Joshua Braham, as he went out; "but it shall be just as long as I like, and with a string tied to your leg--a string, my fine fellow, of which I hold the end?" Book 2, Chapter VII. IN PERIL.