I have received the letter which Lord Cumber transmitted to me, under your frank, in which I am appointed his head agent.

He also is willing to accept the two thousand pounds on my own terms--that is, of course, as a loan, at the usual rate of interest.

But don't you think, my dear M'Slime, that with respect to this large sum, an understanding might be entered into--or rather an arrangement made, in a quiet way, that would, I flatter myself, turn out of great ultimate advantage to his lordship.

The truth is, that Lord Cumber, like most generous men, is very negligent of his own interests--at least much more so than he ought to be; and it would be most beneficial to him, in every sense, to have a person managing his estates, in the best possible condition to serve him.

His property, in fact, is not represented in the grand jury panel of the county.