o fell out that on the very morning from which we date this
first passage of our history, Cornelius awoke earlier than he was wont.
His brow wore an aspect of more than ordinary care. It was but too
evident that his pillow had been disturbed. Thoughts of more than usual
perplexity had deprived him of his usual measure of repose. His very
beard looked abrupt and agitated; his dress bore marks of indifference
and haste. A slight, but tremulous movement of the head, in general but
barely visible, was now advanced into a decided shake. With a step
somewhat nimbler than aforetime, he made, as custom had long rendered
habitual, his first visit to the counting-house.

The unwearied and indefatigable Timothy Dodge sat there, with the same
crooked spectacles, and, as it might seem, mending the same pen which
the same knife had nibbed for at least half-a-century. The tripod on
which rested this grey Sidrophel of accompts looked of the like hard and
impenetrable material, as though it were grown into his similitude,
forming but a lower adjunct to his person. It was evident they had not
parted company for the last twenty years. Nature had formed him awry. A
boss or hump, of considerable elevation, extended like a huge promontory
on one shoulder; from the other depended an arm longer by some inches
than its fellow. As it described a greater arc its activity was
proportionate. His grey and restless eyes followed the merchant's track
with unwearied fidelity; yet was he a man full sparing of words--the
ever ready "Anon, master," being the chief burden of his replications.
It was like the troll of an old ballad--a sort of inveterate drawl
tripping unwittingly from the tongue.

The sun was just peeping through the long dim casement as Cornelius
stepped over the threshold of his sanctuary. In it lay hidden the
mysteries of many a goodly tome, more precious in his eyes than the
rarest and richest that Dee's library could boast. No mean value,
inasmuch as this celebrated scholar and mathematician, who was lately
appointed warden of the college, had the most costly store of
book-furniture that individual ever possessed.

"Good morrow, Dodge."

The pen was twice nibbed ere the usual rejoinder.

"Are the camlets arrived from the country?" inquired the merchant.

"Anon, master--this forenoon may be."

"Is the accompt against Anthony Hardcastle discharged?"

"No," ejaculated the grim fixture.

"And where is the piece of Genoa velvet Da