old is the present
Lord B----?"

"I have just been examining the peerage--he is sixtytwo; but he is very
fresh and hearty, and may live a long while yet. By-the-bye, Newland, I
committed a great error last night at the club. I played pretty high,
and lost a great deal of money."

"That is unfortunate."

"That was not the error; I actually paid all my losings, Newland, and it
has reduced the stock amazingly. I lost seven hundred and fifty pounds.
I know I ought not to have paid away your money, but the fact was, as I
was hedging, it would not do not to have paid, as I could not have made
up my book as I wished. It is, however, only waiting a few weeks, till
Mrs M---- decides my fate, and then, either one way or the other, I
shall have money enough. If your people won't give you any more till you
are of age, why we must send to a little friend of mine, that's all, and
you shall borrow for both of us."

"Borrow!" replied I, not much liking the idea; "they will never lend me
money."

"Won't they?" replied the Major; "no fear of that. Your signature, and
my introduction, will be quite sufficient."

"We had better try to do without it, Major; I do not much like it."

"Well, if we can, we will; but I have not fifty pounds left in my desk;
how much have you?"

"About twenty," replied I, in despair at this intelligence; "but I think
there is a small sum left at the banker's; I will go and see." I took up
my hat and set off, to ascertain what funds we might have in store.

Chapter XXVIII

I am over head and ears in trouble about a lady's ear-rings; commit
myself sadly, and am very nearly committed.

I must say, that I was much annoyed at this intelligence. The
money-lenders would not be satisfied unless they knew where my estates
were, and had examined the will at Doctors' Commons; then all would be
exposed to the Major, and I should be considered by him as an impostor.
I walked down Pall Mall in a very unhappy mood, so deep in thought, that
I ran against a lady, who was stepping out of her carriage at a
fashionable shop. She turned round, and I was making my best apologies
to a very handsome woman when her ear-rings caught my attention. They
were of alternate coral and gold, and the fac-simile in make to the
chain given by Nattee to Fleta. During my last visit, I had often had
the chain in my hand, and particularly marked the workmanship. To make
more sure, I followed into the shop, and stood beh