d--what an affliction it would be to lose position and to lose
credit, when ability to tide over a very short time might save all
appearances.'

'Oh!' said Fledgeby. 'Then you think, Mrs Lammle, that if Lammle
got time, he wouldn't burst up?--To use an expression,' Mr Fledgeby
apologetically explained, 'which is adopted in the Money Market.'

'Indeed yes. Truly, truly, yes!'

'That makes all the difference,' said Fledgeby. 'I'll make a point of
seeing Riah at once.'

'Blessings on you, dearest Mr Fledgeby!'

'Not at all,' said Fledgeby. She gave him her hand. 'The hand,' said Mr
Fledgeby, 'of a lovely and superior-minded female is ever the repayment
of a--'

'Noble action!' said Mrs Lammle, extremely anxious to get rid of him.

'It wasn't what I was going to say,' returned Fledgeby, who never would,
under any circumstances, accept a suggested expression, 'but you're very
complimentary. May I imprint a--a one--upon it? Good morning!'

'I may depend upon your promptitude, dearest Mr Fledgeby?'

Said Fledgeby, looking back at the door and respectfully kissing his
hand, 'You may depend upon it.'

In fact, Mr Fledgeby sped on his errand of mercy through the streets,
at so brisk a rate that his feet might have been winged by all the good
spirits that wait on Generosity. They might have taken up their station
in his breast, too, for he was blithe and merry. There was quite a fresh
trill in his voice, when, arriving at the counting-house in St Mary Axe,
and finding it for the moment empty, he trolled forth at the foot of the
staircase: 'Now, Judah, what are you up to there?'

The old man appeared, with his accustomed deference.

'Halloa!' said Fledgeby, falling back, with a wink. 'You mean mischief,
Jerusalem!'

The old man raised his eyes inquiringly.

'Yes you do,' said Fledgeby. 'Oh, you sinner! Oh, you dodger! What!
You're going to act upon that bill of sale at Lammle's, are you? Nothing
will turn you, won't it? You won't be put off for another single minute,
won't you?'

Ordered to immediate action by the master's tone and look, the old man
took up his hat from the little counter where it lay.

'You have been told that he might pull through it, if you didn't go in
to win, Wide-Awake; have you?' said Fledgeby. 'And it's not your game
that he should pull through it; ain't it? You having got security, and
there being enough to pay you? Oh, you Jew!'

The old man stood irresolute and uncertain for a moment