'Foukes and Mauley,' said Mr. Larkin. 'I have never had but one transaction with them; they are not always pleasant people to deal with. Mind, I don't say anything affecting their integrity--Heaven forbid; but they certainly did take rather what I would call a short turn with us on the occasion to which I refer. You must be cautious; indeed, my dear Sir, _very_ cautious. The fifteenth--just ten clear days. Well, you know you have till then to look about you; and you know we may any day hear from your brother, directing the loan to be paid over to you. And now, my dear and reverend friend, you know me, I hope,' continued Mr. Larkin, very kindly, as he handed back the letter; 'and you won't attribute what I say to impertinent curiosity; but your brother's intended advance of three hundred pounds can hardly have had relation only to this trifling claim upon you. There are, no doubt--pardon me--several little matters to be arranged; and considerable circumspection will be needed, pending your brother's absence, in dealing with the persons who are in a position to press their claims unpleasantly. You must not trifle with these things. And let me recommend you seeing your legal adviser, whoever he is, immediately.' 'You mean,' said the vicar, who was by this time very much flushed, 'a gentleman of your profession, Mr. Larkin. Do you really think--well, it has frequently crossed my mind--but the expense, you know; and although my affairs are in a most unpleasant and complicated state, I am sure that everything would be perfectly smooth if only I had received the loan my kind brother intends, and which, to be sure, as you say, any day I may receive.' 'But, my dear Sir, do you really mean to say that you would pay claims from various quarters--how old is this, for instance?--without examination!' The vicar looked very blank. 'I--this--well, this I certainly do owe; it has increased a little with interest, though good Mr. Mountain never charged more than six per cent. It was, I think, about fifteen pounds--books--I am ashamed to say how long ago; about a work which I began then, and laid aside--on Eusebius; but which is now complete, and will, I hope, eventually repay me.' 'Were you of age, my dear Sir, when he gave you these books on credit? Were you twenty-one years of age?' 'Oh! no; not twenty; but then I owe it, and I could not, as s a Christian man, you know, evade my debts.'