And this was how I was treated by those heathen and cynical macaronies, Mr. Fox’s friends.  I may not say the same for the whole of Brooks’s Club, tho’ I never darkened its doors afterwards.  But I encountered my Lord March that afternoon, and got only a blank stare in place of a bow.

Charles had collected (Heaven knows how!) the thousand pounds which he stood in my debt, and Mr. Storer and Lord Carlisle offered to lend me as much as I chose.  I had some difficulty in refusing, and more still in denying Charles when he pressed me to go with them to Richmond, where he had rooms for play over Sunday.

Banks brought me the news that Lord Comyn was sitting up, and had been asking for me that day; that he was recovering beyond belief.  But I was resolved not to go to Brook Street until the money affairs were settled on Monday with Mr. Dix, for I knew well that his Lordship would insist upon carrying out with the agent the contract he had so generously and hastily made, rather than let me pay an abnormal interest.

On Monday I rose early, and went out for a bit of air before the scene with Mr. Dix.  Returning, I saw a coach with his Lordship’s arms on the panels, and there was Comyn himself in my great chair at the window, where he had been deposited by Banks and his footman.  I stared as on one risen from the dead.

“Why, Jack, what are you doing here?” I cried.

He replied very offhand, as was his manner at such times: 

“Blicke vows that Chartersea and Lewis have qualified for the College of Surgeons,” says he.  “They are both born anatomists.  Your job under the arm was the worst bungle of the two, egad, for Lewis put his sword, pat as you please, between two of my organs (cursed if I know their names), and not so much as scratched one.”

“Look you, Jack,” said I, “I am not deceived.  You have no right to be here, and you know it.”

“Tush!” answered his Lordship; “I am as well as you.”  And he took snuff to prove the assertion.  “Why the devil was you not in Brook Street yesterday to tell me that your uncle had swindled you?  I thought I was your friend,” says he, “and I learn of your misfortune through others.”

“It is because you are my friend, and my best friend, that I would not worry you when you lay next door to death on my account,” I said, with emotion.

And just then Banks announced Mr. Dix.

“Let him wait,” said I, greatly disturbed.

“Show him up!” said my Lord, peremptorily.

“No, no!” I protested; “he can wait.  We shall have no business now.”

But Banks was gone.  And I found out, long afterward, that it was put up between them.

The agent swaggered in with that easy assurance he assumed whenever he got the upper hand.  He was the would-be squire once again, in top-boots and a frock.  I have rarely seen a man put out of countenance so easily as was Mr. Dix that morning when he met his Lordship’s fixed gaze from the arm-chair.