Mr. Hastings sat down on the chair handed him, and waited; watching at his leisure the business of the Bank. Several people were there. Some were paying money in, some drawing it out. There appeared to be no hesitation, either in paying or receiving: all seemed as usual. One man brought a cheque for nine hundred and odd pounds, and it was counted out to him. "I feel sure it is all right," was the conclusion come to by Mr. Hastings. About ten minutes, and George Godolphin came forward. "Ah! is it you?" said he, with his sunny smile. "You are here early this morning." "I want to say just a word to you in private, Mr. George." George led the way to his room, talking gaily. He pushed a chair towards Mr. Hastings, and took his own. Never a face more free from care than his; never an eye less troubled. He asked after Mrs. Hastings; asked after Reginald, who was daily expected home from a voyage--whether he had arrived. "Maria dreamt last night that he had returned," said he, laughing, "and told her he was never going to sea again." Mr. Hastings remembered _his_ dreams--if dreams they could be called. He was beginning to think that he must have had nightmare. "Mr. George, I have come to you upon a strange errand," he began. "Will you for a few moments regard me as a confidential friend, and treat me as one?" "I hope it is what I always do, sir," was the reply of George Godolphin. "Ay; but I want a proof of your friendship this morning. But for my being connected with you by close ties, I should not have so come. Tell me, honestly and confidentially, as between man and man--Is that trust-money safe?" George looked at Mr. Hastings, his countenance slightly changing. Mr. Hastings thought he was vexed. "I do not understand you," he said. "I have heard a rumour--I have heard, in fact, two rumours--that---- The long and the short of it is this," more rapidly continued Mr. Hastings, "I have heard that there's something doubtful arising with the Bank." "What on earth do you mean?" exclaimed George Godolphin. "_Is_ there anything the matter? Or is the Bank as solvent as it ought to be?" "I should be sorry to think it otherwise," replied George. "I don't understand you. What have you heard?" "Just what I tell you. A friend spoke to me in private yesterday, when I was at Binham, saying that he had heard a suspicion of something being wrong with the Bank here. You will not be surprised that I thought of the nine thousand pounds I had just paid in." "Who said it?" asked George. "I'll prosecute him if I can find out." "I dare say you would. But I have not come here to make mischief. I stopped his repeating it, and I, you know, am safe, so there's no harm done. I have passed an uneasy night, and I have come to ask you to tell me the truth in all good faith."