need a part of it, remains a mystery at present. The squire knew
his business. He went straightway to the banking-house, and made enquiry
respecting Allcraft's destination. He gained intelligence, and followed
him at once. They met abroad--they returned home in company. They became
great friends, and within three months--PARTNERS. And the old man had
been, as he threatened to be, very busy likewise. He had fought his
son's battle very hardly and very successfully, as he believed, and with
twenty thousand pounds had purchased for him a junior partner's interest
in the estate. The hopeful boy was admitted into the concern during his
residence in Oxford. He had never been seen, but his father was a man of
substance, well known and esteemed. The character which he gave with his
son was undeniable. Its truth could not be questioned, backed as it was
by so liberal an advance.

Let it not be supposed that Michael, in his anxiety to involve other men
in his own fearful responsibility, was injudicious enough to act without
all forethought and consideration. Not he. He had inherited from his
sire the valuable faculty of detecting the wishes and views of men in
their external evidences. On the countenances of men he read their
hearts. It did not take long to discover that the venerable Mr Brammel
and the haughty Mr Bellamy were bent upon the partnership, and would
secure it at any cost. Satisfied of this, like a lazy and plethoric fish
he kept within sight of his bait, close upon it, without deigning for a
time as much as a nibble. It was his when he chose to bite. But there
were deep enquiries to make, and many things to do, before he could
implicate himself so far. In every available quarter he sought
information respecting the one partner, and the father of the other, and
of both; the intelligence that he received well repaid his trouble.
Nothing could be more promising and satisfactory. Nor did he content
himself with such arms against the selfishness of gentlemen, who, he was
shrewd enough to know, were seeking only their own advantage in their
earnest desire of a union with him. He had an eye to the balance of
power. Two men, united and active, in the firm, pulling together on all
occasions, might, not by one blow perhaps, but in the course of time,
and by accumulating force and skill, oust him from his present elevated
and natural position. Once admit them to authority, and the limits of
their dominion must be prescribed by