You comprehend me ?' Hugh understood him perfectly.

After a pause he muttered that he hoped his patron would involve him in no trouble about this last letter; for he had kept it back solely with the view of pleasing him.

He was continuing in this strain, when Mr Chester with a most beneficent and patronising air cut him short by saying: 'My good fellow, you have my promise, my word, my sealed bond (for a verbal pledge with me is quite as good), that I will always protect you so long as you deserve it.

Now, do set your mind at rest.

Keep it at ease, I beg of you.