Five guineas a week, six journeys a year, my own horse and gig, and to travel in the West of England in oil and spermaceti.

Here's confusion to gas, and the health of Messrs.

Gann and Co., of Thames Street, in the City of London!" I have been thus particular in my account of the West Diddlesex Insurance Office, and of Mr.Brough, the managing director (though the real names are neither given to the office nor to the chairman, as you may be sure), because the fate of me and my diamond pin was mysteriously bound up with both: as I am about to show.
You must know that I was rather respected among our gents at the West Diddlesex, because I came of a better family than most of them; had received a classical education; and especially because I had a rich aunt, Mrs.Hoggarty, about whom, as must be confessed, I used to boast a good deal.

There is no harm in being respected in this world, as I have found out; and if you don't brag a little for yourself, depend on it there is no person of your acquaintance who will tell the world of your merits, and take the trouble off your hands.
So that when I came back to the office after my visit at home, and took my seat at the old day-book opposite the dingy window that looks into Birchin Lane, I pretty soon let the fellows know that Mrs.Hoggarty, though she had not given me a large sum of money, as I expected--indeed, I had promised a dozen of them a treat down the river, should the promised riches have come to me--I let them know, I say, that though my aunt had not given me any money, she had given me a splendid diamond, worth at least thirty guineas, and that some day I would sport it at the shop.
"Oh, let's see it!" says Abednego, whose father was a mock-jewel and gold- lace merchant in Hanway Yard; and I promised that he should have a sight of it as soon as it was set.

As my pocket-money was run out too (by coach-hire to and from home, five shillings to our maid at home, ten to my aunt's maid and man, five-and-twenty shillings lost at whist, as I said, and fifteen-and-six paid for a silver scissors for the dear little fingers of Somebody), Roundhand, who was very good-natured, asked me to dine, and advanced me 7_l_.1_s_.8_d_., a month's salary.