new that his victim was not so rich as he appeared, and had struggled
in vain to better his fortunes by speculations of various kinds, and
even (the last refuge of the sinking respectables) by thrusting
himself into trusteeships. He felt an assurance, therefore, that his
threatened exposures--united to an offer of the full value of the
estate--would secure him the possession of Surbridge Hall; if it had
not been for the enjoyment he anticipated in uncloaking the hypocrite,
he might perhaps have contented himself with the acquisition of the
land.

A knock was heard at the door, and Mr Gillingham Howard and his aunt
walked into the room. Mr Gillingham Howard was very pale, and his eye
evidently quailed as it met the glance of Mr Thomas Roe. The little
fat Susannah was immensely red in the face, but whether from agitation
of mind, or the exertion of climbing the hall steps, it is impossible
to decide.

"I've called, my dear old friend, to take you by the hand," said Mr
Gillingham Howard. "I've long wished, I assure you, to renew our
acquaintance."

"That's a thumper!" replied the old man; "you have wished nothing of
the kind. Oh, Gus, haven't you conquered the horrid habit of
story-telling that used to make you the laughing-stock of all the
young men in the shop. And you, my little Two-to-the-Pound, what a
time it is since we've met, never since the exciseman died, I do
believe. Well, you've not grown thin on't. Do you study the ninth
commandment as much as you used to do?"

"The ninth commandment, sir," said the lady tossing her head. "I don't
know what you mean."

"Yes, you do, Susan; the ninth commandment is the one about false
witness, you know. And sich a gal as you used to be for slashing a
character, or trying to make your kindest friends ridiculous, there
wasn't in all the city. You were always so tremendously witty, you
never had a good word for any body; for witty gals, as you used to be,
thinks nothing funny that isn't what they calls severe. But you're a
old woman now, and I hope you're improved."

Miss Susannah had never been called an old woman before. If she had
seen Mr Gillingham Howard looking with his usual brazen assurance, she
would have broken out in a torrent of invective against her merciless
tormentor--but the fight was entirely out of that illustrious
character, and he stood in trembling silence before his opponent.

"My dear sir," he said at last, "you are too severe on my aunt--but
you