When I desired him to explain his meaning, he pointed to his neck, raised himself on his tiptoes, and was going away without any further ceremony, when I put him in mind of my indigence, and demanded the five guineas I had formerly lent him.

"Five guineas ?" cried he; "zounds! had you acted with common prudence, you might have had twenty thousand in your pocket by this time.

I depended upon five hundred from you, as much as if I had had notes for it in the bank; and by all the rules of equity, you are indebted to me for that sum." I was neither pleased nor convinced by this computation, and insisted on my right with such determined obstinacy, that he was fain to alter his ton, and appease my clamour by assuring me, that he was not master of five shillings.

Society in distress generally promotes good understanding among people; from being a dun I descended to be a client, and asked his advice about repairing my losses.

He counselled me to have recourse again to the gaming table, where I succeeded so well before, and put myself in a condition by selling my watch.