like to do it
still, only for this wicked and censorious world." A knock from Darby
O'Drive recalled him to a perception of his gifts, and when Darby
entered he looked calm and serious as usual. Little could Darby have
imagined, although perfectly aware of M'Slime's knavery, that the pious
little man had just concluded "a short exercise," in performing the
Swaggering Jig. As it was, however, he found him in a state which might
either be termed a religious meditation, or an intense application to
business--a Bible being on the one hand, and a brief on the other; but
to which of the two he had devoted himself, neither Darby, nor indeed
any one else, could guess. There, however, he sat, a kind of holy link
between the law and the gospel.

When Darby entered, and delivered the letter, M'Slime on receiving it
exclaimed, "Ah, from my excellent friend, M'Clutchy. Sit down, Darby,
sit down, and whilst I am casting my eye over this note, do now, in
order that we may make the most of our opportunities, do, I say, Darby,
just read a chapter in this--" handing him over the Bible as he spoke. In
the meantime he read as follows:--

"Strictly confidential.

"My Dear M'Slime:

"In order that the thing may be done as much in the shape and form of
a matter of business as possible, don't you think it would be well
for you, as Harman's lease has expired, to send me a regular written
proposal for it--which proposal I may be able to show in justification
of myself, should anything unfavorable turn up afterwards. Harman's
offer was just double yours, but that is burnt; of course you will also
burn this when you have read it. Your offer of assistance to M'Loughlin
was well thought of; and even if we never, I mean you, should be
paid, you are still a gainer by two hundred pounds. Each has offered
a thousand a piece to have the leases renewed at the present rent; you
give five hundred, very good suppose you lose three--that is, suppose
M'Loughlin is driven, as, please God, he shall be, to allow you to
accept a bill for three hundred--don't you see that you are still two
hundred in pocket; no, I am wrong, not two but seven hundred. You can
therefore well afford to lose three by the transaction, although, as I
have said, it is not, in point of fact, losing three, but gaining seven,
or at least five. Phil has also sent me a written proposal, which I
will keep, but M'Loughlin's is gone the way of Harman's, as a matter of
prudence. As for the pr