The hope, however faint, of making money by this speculation, and the fear of offending the depositary of his great secret, compelled at length from Allcraft a reluctant acquiescence.  He consented to the trial, receiving Planner’s solemn promise that, in the event of failure, it should be the last.  Planner himself, overjoyed at his victory, prepared himself for action, and contemplated the magnificent resources of the bank with a resolute and daring spirit that would have gratified exceedingly the customers of the house, could they have but known it.  Planner conscientiously believed that he had hitherto failed in all his schemes, because he had never commanded cash sufficient to carry out his views.  This great obstacle being removed, he wisely determined to make the most of his good fortune.  And in truth he was without the shadow of an excuse for timidity and forbearance.  The anxiety which might have accompanied his ventures, had the money been his own, was mercifully spared him; the thought of personal danger and ruin could never come to cloud his intellect, or oppress his energy.  As for the ruin of any other party, the idea, by a very happy dispensation, never once occurred to him.  It took a very few months to make Mr Planner the largest shareholder—­the principal director—­the president and first man in the famous “Joint-Stock Pantamorphica Association.”

And whilst he was busy in the purchase of lands required for the extensive undertaking, his dear friend Mr Bellamy was agreeably occupied in paying off, by degrees, the heavy mortgages which, for many years, had been weighing on his beautiful estate.  In addition to the ten thousand pounds which he had abstracted during the absence of Mr Allcraft, he had not hesitated to draw large sums under the very nose of his too easy and unsuspecting partner.  The manner of Mr Bellamy threw Michael off his guard.  He walked so erect—­looked upon every body so superciliously—­spoke even to Allcraft in so high a tone, and with so patronizing an air, that it was quite impossible to suspect him of being any thing but real coin, a sound man, and worthy of all trust.  It is certainly true that Mr Bellamy had not brought into the concern as he had engaged, some twenty, or forty thousand pounds—­it does not matter which—­but the reasons which he condescended to give for this failure were perfectly satisfactory, and accounted for the delay—­so well accounted for it that Michael entreated Mr Bellamy not to think about it, but to take his time.  And how very natural it was for a man of Mr Bellamy’s consideration and enormous wealth to secure the little property that adjoined his own, and to borrow from the bank any sum of money that he might want to complete so desirable a purchase!  And how very natural, likewise, on the part of Allcraft, ever fearful of discovery, ever desirous to keep upon the best terms with Mr Bellamy (the great man of the country, the observed of all observers)—­to be at all times anxious to oblige his friend, to render him sensible of his desire to please him, and of the obligation under which, by these repeated acts of kindness and indulgence, he was insensibly brought.