behold his wings," said Robinson, with a faint
smile. "I come on a visit which might befit an angel. Mr. Brown, I
consent that your daughter's dowry shall be paid from the funds of
the firm."

But Mr. Brown, instead of expressing his thankful gratitude, as was
expected, winked at his partner. The dull Brisket did not perceive
it; but Robinson at once knew that this act of munificence on his
part was not at the moment pleasing to the lady's father.

"You're a trump," said Brisket; "and when we're settled at home like,
Maryanne and I that is, I hope you'll let bygones be bygones, and
come and take pot luck with us sometimes. If there's a tender bit of
steak about the place it shall be sent to the kitchen fire when you
show your face."

"Brisket," said Robinson, "there's my hand. I've loved her. I don't
deny it. But you're welcome to her. No woman shall ever sit at the
hearth of George Robinson;--but at her hearth George Robinson will
never sit."

"You shall be as welcome as if you did," said Brisket; "and a man
can't say no fairer."

But in the meantime Mr. Brown still continued to wink, and Robinson
understood that his consent to that bill transaction was not in
truth desired. "Perhaps, Mr. Brisket," said he, "as this is a matter
of business, I and my partner had better discuss it for a moment
together. We can go down into my room, Mr. Brown."

"With all my heart," said Brisket. "But remember this, both of you:
if I don't see my way before I leave the house, I don't come here any
more. I know my way pretty well from Aldersgate Street, and I'm sick
of the road. I've been true to my word all along, and I'll be true
to the end. But if I don't see my way before I leave this house,
remember I'm off."

"You shouldn't have said that," whispered Brown to his partner as
soon as the two were together.

"Why not?"

"The money won't be there at the end of three months, not if we pay
them other things. And where's the hundred pounds of ready to come
from?"

"That's your look-out."

"I haven't got it, George. Jones has it, I know; but I can't get it
out of him."

"Jones got a hundred pounds! And where should Jones have gotten it?"

"I know we have been wrong, George; I know we have. But you can't
wonder at me, George; can you? I did bring four thousand pounds into
it; didn't I?"

"And now you haven't got a hundred pounds!"

"If I have it's as much as I can say. But Jones has it, and ever so
much more. If Briske