s neither here nor there. To set
the concern a-going we must either have a loan or a company. I 'm for a
company."

"You are for a company," reiterated Bramleigh, slowly, as he fixed his
eyes calmly but steadily on him.

"Yes, I 'm for a company. With a company, Bramleigh," said he, as he
tossed off the last glass of wine, "there 's always more of P. E."

"Of what?"

"Of P. E.--Preliminary expenses! There 's a commission to inquire into
this, and a deputation to investigate that. No men on earth dine
like deputations. I never knew what dining was till I was named on a
deputation. It was on sewerage. And didn't the champagne flow! There was
a viaduct to be constructed to lead into the Thames, and I never think
of that viaduct without the taste of turtle in my mouth, and a genial
feeling of milk-punch all over me. The assurance offices say that there
was scarcely such a thing known as a gout premium in the City till the
joint-stock companies came in; now they have them every day."

"_Revenons a nos moutons_, as the French say, Mr. Cutbill," said
Bramleigh, gravely.

"If it's a pun you mean, and that we 're to have another bottle of the
same, I second the motion."

Bramleigh gave a sickly smile as he rang the bell, but neither the jest
nor the jester much pleased him.

"Bring another bottle of 'Mouton,' Drayton, and fresh glasses," said he,
as the butler appeared.

"I 'll keep mine; it is warm and mellow," said Cutbill. "The only fault
with that last bottle was the slight chill on it."

"You have been frank with me, Mr. Cutbill," said Bramleigh, as soon as
the servant withdrew, "and I will be no less so with you. I have retired
from the world of business--I have quitted the active sphere where I
have passed some thirty odd years, and have surrendered ambition, either
of money-making, or place, or rank, and come over here with one single
desire, one single wish--I want to see what's to be done for Ireland."

Cutbill lifted his glass to his lips, but scarcely in time to hide the
smile of incredulous drollery which curled them, and which the other's
quick glance detected.

"There is nothing to sneer at, sir, in what I said, and I will repeat my
words. I want to see what's to be done for Ireland."

"It 's very laudable in you, there can be no doubt," said Cutbill,
gravely.

"I am well aware of the peril incurred by addressing to men like
yourself, Mr. Cutbill, any opinions--any sentiments--which savor of
dis