is my ambition; I had it from a child, sir; dreamed of it three tunes, ma'am. If I had back my property in that phenomenon, I would go at the thing, slap-bang, take the York, and bring out the phenomenon with A CLAW!" LOSELY (musingly).--"You say the young lady is a phenomenon, and for this phenomenon you are willing to pay something handsome,--a vague expression. Put it into L. s. d." RUGGE.--"Sir, if she can be bound to me legally for three years, I would give L100. I did offer to Waife L50,--to you, sir, L100." Losely's eyes flashed, and his hands opened restlessly. "But, confound it, where is she? Have you no clew?" RUGGE.--"No, but we can easily find one; it was not worth my while to hunt them up before I was quite sure that, if I regained my property in that phenomenon, the law would protect it." MRS. CRANE (moving to the door).--"Well, Jasper Losely, you will sell the young lady, I doubt not; and when you have sold her, let me know." She came back and whispered, "You will not perhaps now want money from me, but I shall see you again; for, if you would find the child, you will need my aid." "Certainly, my dear friend, I will call again; honour bright." Mrs. Crane here bowed to the gentlemen, and swept out of the room. Thus left alone, Losely and Rugge looked at each other with a shy and yet cunning gaze,--Rugge's hands in his trouser's pockets, his head thrown back; Losely's hands in voluntarily expanded, his head bewitchingly bent forward, and a little on one side. "Sir," said Rugge, at length, "what do you say to a chop and a pint of wine? Perhaps we could talk more at our ease elsewhere. I am only in town for a day; left my company thirty miles off,--orphans, as I said before." "Mr. Rugge," said Losely, "I have no desire to stay in London, or indeed in England; and the sooner we can settle this matter the better. Grant that we find the young lady, you provide for her board and lodging; teach her your honourable profession; behave, of course, kindly to her." "Like a father." "And give to me the sum of L100?" "That is, if you can legally make her over to me. But, sir, may I inquire by what authority you would act in this matter?" "On that head it will be easy to satisfy you; meanwhile I accept your proposal of an early dinner. Let us adjourn; is it to your house?" "I have no exact private house in London; but I know a public one, --commodious." "Be it so. After you, sir." As they descended the stairs, the old woman-servant stood at the street door. Rugge went out first; the woman detained Losely. "Do you find her altered?" "Whom? Mrs. Crane?--why, years will tell. But you seem to have known me; I don't remember you." "Not Bridget Greggs?" "Is it possible? I left you a middle-aged, rosy-faced woman. True, I recognize you now. There's a crown for you. I wish I had more to spare!" Bridget pushed back the silver. "No; I dare not! Take money from you, Jasper Losely! Mistress would not forgive me!"