'But, my dear fellow, there is no question here of losing money. If we sell now we shall realize about £2,000.' 'And will that, or the half of that, satisfy you? Is that your idea of a good thing? Will that be sufficient to pay for the dozen of bad things which a fellow is always putting his foot into? It won't satisfy me. I can tell you that, at any rate.' Alaric felt very desirous of keeping Undy in a good humour. He wished, if possible, to persuade him rather than to drive him; to coax him into repaying this money, and not absolutely to demand the repayment. 'Come,' said he, 'what do you call a good thing yourself?' 'I call cent per cent a good thing, and I'll not sell a share till they come up to that.' 'They'll never do that, Undy.' 'That's your opinion. I think differently. And I'm sure you will own I have had more experience of the share-market than you have. When I see such men as Blocks and Piles buying fast, I know very well which way the wind blows. A man may be fishing a long time, Tudor, in these waters, before he gets such a haul as this; but he must be a great fool to let go his net when he does get it.' They both then remained silent for a time, for each was doubtful how best to put forward the view which he himself wished to urge. Their projects were diametrically different, and yet neither could carry his own without the assistance of the other. 'I tell you what I propose,' said Undy. 'Wait a moment, Undy,' said Alaric; 'listen to me for one moment. I can hear nothing till you do so, and then I will hear anything.' 'Well, what is it?' We have each of us put something near to £5,000 into this venture.' 'I have put more,' said Scott. 'Very well. But we have each of us withdrawn a sum equal to that I have named from my ward's fortune for this purpose.' 'I deny that,' said Undy. 'I have taken nothing from your ward's fortune. I have had no power to do so. You have done as you pleased with that fortune. But I am ready to admit that I have borrowed £5,000--not from your ward, but from you.' Alaric was nearly beside himself; but he still felt that he should have no chance of carrying his point if he lost his temper. 'That is ungenerous of you, Scott, to say the least of it; but we'll let that pass. To enable me to lend you the £5,000, and to enable me to join you in this speculation, £10,000 has been withdrawn from Clementina's fortune.' 'I know nothing about that,' said Scott. 'Know nothing about it!' said Alaric, looking at him with withering scorn. But Undy was not made of withering material, and did not care a straw for his friend's scorn. 'Nothing whatever,' said he. 'Well, so be it,' said Alaric; 'but the fact is, the money has been withdrawn.' 'I don't doubt that in the least,' said Undy. 'I am not now going to argue whether the fault has been most mine or yours,' continued Alaric.