He all but regretted, as he journeyed up to town, with the now tame Fidus seated opposite to him, that he had not disposed of them at Tavistock even at half their present value, so that he might have saved himself the necessity of being a borrower, and have wiped his hands of the whole affair.
He and Norman dined together at their club in Waterloo Place, the Pythagorean, a much humbler establishment than that patronized by Scott, and one that was dignified by no politics.

After dinner, as they sat over their pint of sherry, Alaric made his request.
'Harry,' said he, suddenly, 'you are always full of money--I want you to lend me L150.' Norman was much less quick in his mode of speaking than his friend, and at the present moment was inclined to be somewhat slower than usual.

This affair of the examination pressed upon his spirits, and made him dull and unhappy.

During the whole of dinner he had said little or nothing, and had since been sitting listlessly gazing at vacancy, and balancing himself on the hind-legs of his chair.
'O yes--certainly,' said he; but he said it without the eagerness with which Alaric thought that he should have answered his request.
'If it's inconvenient, or if you don't like it,' said Alaric, the blood mounting to his forehead, 'it does not signify.

I can do without it.' 'I can lend it you without any inconvenience,' said Harry.