elt. Moreover, he had scarcely reached
middle life, and was, or had been, a handsome man, so that, when he
chose to dress decently and put on a sanctimonious look (which he could
do with much facility), he seemed quite a respectable personage.

"Now, guv'nor, I'm at your sarvice," he said. "This is my way. Is it
yours?"

"Yes--any way will do," continued Aspel. "Now let me hear about you. I
owe you some sort of reparation for that blow. Have you dined?--will
you eat?"

"Well, no; thank 'ee all the same, but I've no objection to drink."

They chanced to be near a public-house as he spoke. It would be
difficult in some thoroughfares of London to stop _without_ chancing to
be near a public-house!

They entered, and Aspel, resolving to treat the man handsomely, called
for brandy and soda. It need scarcely be said that at that hour the
brandy and soda was by no means the first of its kind that either of the
men had imbibed that day. Over it they became extremely confidential
and chatty. Mr Bones was a lively and sensible fellow. It was
noticeable, too, that his language improved and his demeanour became
more respectful as the acquaintance progressed. After a time they rose.
Aspel paid for the brandy and soda, and they left the place in company.

Leaving them, we shall return to St. Martin's-le-Grand, and follow the
footsteps of no less a personage than Miss Lillycrop, for it so happened
that that enthusiastic lady, having obtained permission to view the
interior of the Post-Office, had fixed on that evening for her visit.
But we must go back a little in time--to that period when the postal
jaws were about to open for the reception of the evening mail.

Ever since Miss Lillycrop's visit to the abode of Solomon Flint, she had
felt an increasing desire to see the inside and the working of that
mighty engine of State about which she had heard so much. A permit had
been procured for her, and her cousin, May Maylands, being off duty at
that hour, was able to accompany her.

They were handed over to the care of a polite and intelligent
letter-sorter named Bright. The sorter seemed fully to appreciate and
enter into Miss Lillycrop's spirit of inquiry. He led her and May to
the inside--the throat, as it were--of those postal jaws, the exterior
aspect of which we have already described. On the way thither they had
to pass through part of the great letter-sorting hall. It seemed to
Miss Lillycrop's excited ima