l I
see you safe in bed."

"Thou art Horatio, for I've found thee honest. There are more things
in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamed of in our philosophy."

"Come, old fellow."

"Poppins, give me that man that is not passion's slave, and I will
wear him in my heart's core; ay, in my heart of hearts;--as I do
thee." And then, falling on Poppins' neck, George Robinson embraced
him.

"You'll be better after that," said Poppins. "Come, let's have a
little chat over a drop of something hot, and then we'll go to bed.
I'll stand Sammy."

"Something hot!" said Robinson. "I tell you, Poppins, that everything
is hot to me. Here, here I'm hot." And then he struck his breast.
"And yet I'm very cold. 'Tis cold to be alone; cold to have lost
one's all. Poppins, I've loved a harpy."

"I believe you're about right there," said Poppins.

"A harpy! Her nails will grow to talons, and on her feet are hoofs.
Within she is horn all over. There's not a drop of blood about her
heart. Oh, Poppins!"

"You're very well out of it, George. But yet I'm sorry for you. I am,
indeed."

"And now, good-night. This way is mine; yours there."

"What! to the bridge? No; I'm blessed if you do; at any rate not
alone."

"Poppins, tell me this; was Hamlet mad, or did he feign so?"

"Faith, very likely the latter. Many do that now. There are better
rations in Bedlam, than in any of the gaols;--let alone the
workhouses."

"Ay; go mad for rations! There's no feigning there, Poppins. The
world is doing that. But, Poppins, Hamlet feigned; and so do I. Let
the wind blow as it may, I know a hawk from a handsaw. Therefore you
need not fear me."

"I don't; but I won't let you go on to that bridge alone. You'll be
singing that song of a suicide, till you're as low as low. Come and
drink a drop of something, and wish Brisket joy with his wife."

"I will," said Robinson. And so the two went to the "Mitre;" and
there, comforted by the truth and honesty of his friend, Robinson
resolved that he would be weak no longer, but, returning at once
to his work, would still struggle on to rescue the house of Brown,
Jones, and Robinson from that bourne of bankruptcy to which it was
being hurried by the incompetency of his partners.

The following day was Sunday, and he rose at twelve with a racking
headache. He had promised to take a chop with his friend at two, and
at that hour he presented himself, with difficulty, at Mrs. Poppins's
room. She was bu