At our next annual meeting, I attended in my capacity as a shareholder, and had great pleasure in hearing Mr.Brough, in a magnificent speech, declare a dividend of six per cent., that we all received over the counter.
"You lucky young scoundrel!" said Brough to me; "do you know what made me give you your place ?" "Why, my aunt's money, to be sure, sir," said I.
"No such thing.

Do you fancy I cared for those paltry three thousand pounds?
I was told you were nephew of Lady Drum; and Lady Drum is grandmother of Lady Jane Preston; and Mr.Preston is a man who can do us a world of good.

I knew that they had sent you venison, and the deuce knows what; and when I saw Lady Jane at my party shake you by the hand, and speak to you so kindly, I took all Abednego's tales for gospel.
_That_ was the reason you got the place, mark you, and not on account of your miserable three thousand pounds.

Well, sir, a fortnight after you were with us at Fulham, I met Preston in the House, and made a merit of having given the place to his cousin.

'Confound the insolent scoundrel!' said he; '_he_ my cousin! I suppose you take all old Drum's stories for true?
Why, man, it's her mania: she never is introduced to a man but she finds out a cousinship, and would not fail of course with that cur of a Titmarsh!' 'Well,' said I, laughing, 'that cur has got a good place in consequence, and the matter can't be mended.' So you see," continued our Director, "that you were indebted for your place, not to your aunt's money, but--" "But to MY AUNT'S DIAMOND PIN!" "Lucky rascal!" said Brough, poking me in the side and going out of the way.