They will never punish the girl. We must accept the girl, rely
upon it.'

'Well!' cried Lammle, shrugging his shoulders, 'so be it: only always
remember that we don't want her.'

'Now, the sole remaining question is,' said Mrs Lammle, 'when shall I
begin?'

'You cannot begin too soon, Sophronia. As I have told you, the condition
of our affairs is desperate, and may be blown upon at any moment.'

'I must secure Mr Boffin alone, Alfred. If his wife was present, she
would throw oil upon the waters. I know I should fail to move him to an
angry outburst, if his wife was there. And as to the girl herself--as I
am going to betray her confidence, she is equally out of the question.'

'It wouldn't do to write for an appointment?' said Lammle.

'No, certainly not. They would wonder among themselves why I wrote, and
I want to have him wholly unprepared.'

'Call, and ask to see him alone?' suggested Lammle.

'I would rather not do that either. Leave it to me. Spare me the little
carriage for to-day, and for to-morrow (if I don't succeed to-day), and
I'll lie in wait for him.'

It was barely settled when a manly form was seen to pass the windows
and heard to knock and ring. 'Here's Fledgeby,' said Lammle. 'He admires
you, and has a high opinion of you. I'll be out. Coax him to use his
influence with the Jew. His name is Riah, of the House of Pubsey and
Co.' Adding these words under his breath, lest he should be audible
in the erect ears of Mr Fledgeby, through two keyholes and the hall,
Lammle, making signals of discretion to his servant, went softly up
stairs.

'Mr Fledgeby,' said Mrs Lammle, giving him a very gracious reception,
'so glad to see you! My poor dear Alfred, who is greatly worried just
now about his affairs, went out rather early. Dear Mr Fledgeby, do sit
down.'

Dear Mr Fledgeby did sit down, and satisfied himself (or, judging from
the expression of his countenance, DISsatisfied himself) that nothing
new had occurred in the way of whisker-sprout since he came round the
corner from the Albany.

'Dear Mr Fledgeby, it was needless to mention to you that my poor dear
Alfred is much worried about his affairs at present, for he has told me
what a comfort you are to him in his temporary difficulties, and what a
great service you have rendered him.'

'Oh!' said Mr Fledgeby.

'Yes,' said Mrs Lammle.

'I didn't know,' remarked Mr Fledgeby, trying a new part of his chair,
'but that Lammle might be reserved ab