'Yes, certainly, I am most anxious to assist them with that little sum, which I have now an opportunity of procuring.' 'A--exactly--yes--well, Miss Lake, that is, of course, very kind of you--very kind, indeed, and creditable to your feelings; but, as Mr. William Wylder's solicitor, and as I have already demonstrated to him, I must now inform you, that the sum of six hundred pounds would be absolutely _useless_ in his position. No party, Miss Lake, in his position, ever quite apprehends, even if he could bring himself fully to state, the aggregate amount of his liabilities. I may state, however, to you, without betraying confidence, that ten times that sum would not avail to extricate him, even temporarily, from his difficulties. He sees the thing himself now; but drowning men will grasp, we know, at straws. However, he _does_ see the futility of this; and, thanking you most earnestly, he, through me, begs most gratefully to decline it. In fact, my dear Miss Lake--it is awful to contemplate--he has been in the hands of sharks, harpies, my dear Madam; but I'll beat about for the money, in the way of loan, if possible, and, one way or another, I am resolved, if the thing's to be done, to get him straight.' There was here a little pause, and Mr. Larkin, finding that Miss Lake had nothing to say, simply added-- 'And so, for these reasons, and with these views, my dear Miss Lake, we beg, most respectfully, and I will say gratefully, to decline the proffered advance, which, I will say, at the same time, does honour to your feelings.' 'I am sorry,' said Miss Lake, 'you have had so much trouble in explaining so simple a matter. I will call early to-morrow, and see Mr. Wylder.' 'Pardon me,' said the attorney, 'I have to address myself next to the second portion of your offer, as stated to me by Mr. W. Wylder, that which contemplates a residence in his house, and in the respectable bosom, I may say, of that, in many respects, unblemished family.' Miss Lake stared with a look of fierce enquiry at the attorney. 'The fact is, Miss Lake, that that is an arrangement which under existing circumstances I could not think of advising. I think, on reflection, you will see, that Mr. Wylder--the Reverend William Wylder and his lady--could not for one moment seriously entertain it, and that I, who am bound to do the best I can for them, could not dream of advising it.' 'I fancy it is a matter of total indifference, Sir, what you may and what you may not advise in a matter quite beyond your province--I don't in the least understand, or desire to understand you--and thinking your manner impertinent and offensive, I beg that you will now be so good as to leave my house.' Miss Rachel was very angry--although nothing but her bright colour and the vexed flash of her eye showed it.