It was in the nature of a measure by which you should judge the scale on which I can afford to have this business carried through.' 'I take you perfectly, Mr.Ducie,' said he.

'But the sooner I am off, the better this affair is like to be guided.

My clerk will show you into the waiting-room and give you the day's _Caledonian Mercury_ and the last _Register_ to amuse yourself with in the interval.' I believe Mr.Robbie was at least three hours gone.

I saw him descend from a cab at the door, and almost immediately after I was shown again into his study, where the solemnity of his manner led me to augur the worst.

For some time he had the inhumanity to read me a lecture as to the incredible silliness, 'not to say immorality,' of my behaviour.