s to be done here.'

'Never mind,' said his lordship; 'keep up your spirits, jump into my
cab, and we will see how we can carry on the war. I am only going to
speak one word to "me and my pardner."'

So saying, his lordship skipped into the house as gay as a lark,
although he had a bill for a good round sum about to be dishonoured in
the course of a few hours.

'Well, my dear Armine,' he resumed, when he reappeared and took the
reins; 'now as I drive along, tell me all about it; for if there be a
man in the world whom I should like to "sarve," it is thyself, my noble
Ferdinand.'

With this encouragement, Captain Armine was not long in pouring his
cares into a congenial bosom.

'I know the man to "sarve" you,' said Catchimwhocan.

'The fact is, these fellows here are regular old-fashioned humbugs. The
only idea they have is money, money. They have no enlightened notions.
I will introduce you to a regular trump; and if he does not do our
business, I am much mistaken. Courage, old fellow! How do you like this
start?'

'Deuced neat. By-the-bye, Catch, my boy, you are going it rather, I
see.'

'To be sure. I have always told you there is a certain system in affairs
which ever prevents men being floored. No fellow is ever dished who has
any connection. What man that ever had his run was really ever fairly
put _hors de combat_, unless he was some one who ought never to have
entered the arena, blazing away without any set, making himself a damned
fool and everybody his enemy. So long as a man bustles about and is in a
good set, something always turns up. I got into Parliament, you see; and
you, you are going to be married.'

All this time the cabriolet was dashing down Regent-street, twisting
through the Quadrant, whirling along Pall Mall, until it finally entered
Cleveland-row, and stopped before a newly painted, newly pointed, and
exceedingly compact mansion, the long brass knocker of whose dark green
door sounded beneath the practised touch of his lordship's tiger. Even
the tawny Holstein horse, with the white flowing mane, seemed conscious
of the locality, and stopped before the accustomed resting-place in the
most natural manner imaginable. A tall serving-man, well-powdered, and
in a dark and well-appointed livery, immediately appeared.

'At home?' enquired Lord Catchimwhocan, with a peculiarly confidential
expression.

'To you, my lord,' responded the attendant.

'Jump out, Armine,' said his lordship; and