“Bah!” said Brough, “are you going to be about this letter all day, my good fellow?  Listen to me, and I’ll dictate to you in a moment.”  So he began:—­

“My Dear Aunt,—­Since my return from Somersetshire, I am very happy indeed to tell you that I have so pleased the managing director of our Association and the Board, that they have been good enough to appoint me third clerk—­”

“Sir!” says I.

“Write what I say.  Mr. Roundhand, as has been agreed by the board yesterday, quits the clerk’s desk and takes the title of secretary and actuary.  Mr. Highmore takes his place; Mr. Abednego follows him; and I place you as third clerk—­as

   “third clerk (write), with a salary of a hundred and fifty pounds per
   annum.  This news will, I know, gratify my dear mother and you, who
   have been a second mother to me all my life.

“When I was last at home, I remember you consulted me as to the best mode of laying out a sum of money which was lying useless in your banker’s hands.  I have since lost no opportunity of gaining what information I could:  and situated here as I am, in the very midst of affairs, I believe, although very young, I am as good a person to apply to as many others of greater age and standing.

“I frequently thought of mentioning to you our Association, but feelings of delicacy prevented me from doing so.  I did not wish that anyone should suppose that a shadow of self-interest could move me in any way.

“But I believe, without any sort of doubt, that the West Diddlesex Association offers the best security that you can expect for your capital, and, at the same time, the highest interest you can anywhere procure.

   “The situation of the Company, as I have it from the very best
   authority (underline that), is as follows:—­

   “The subscribed and bona fide capital is FIVE MILLIONS STERLING.

“The body of directors you know.  Suffice it to say that the managing director is John Brough, Esq., of the firm of Brough and Hoff, a Member of Parliament, and a man as well known as Mr. Rothschild in the City of London.  His private fortune, I know for a fact, amounts to half a million; and the last dividends paid to the shareholders of the I. W. D. Association amounted to 6.125 per cent. per annum.”

[That I know was the dividend declared by us.]

“Although the shares in the market are at a very great premium, it is the privilege of the four first clerks to dispose of a certain number, 5,000_l_. each at par; and if you, my dearest aunt, would wish for 2,500_l_. worth, I hope you will allow me to oblige you by offering you so much of my new privileges.

   “Let me hear from you immediately upon the subject, as I have already
   an offer for the whole amount of my shares at market price.”