Lopez, with a look that indicated offence.

'Nor don't care,' said Sexty;--'only hope it's something good,
for your sake.' Sexty Parker had known Mr Lopez well, now for
some years, and being an overbearing man himself,--somewhat even
of a bully if the truth be spoken,--and by no means apt to give
way unless hard pressed, had often tried his 'hand' on his
friend, as he himself would have said. But I doubt whether he
could remember any instance in which he could congratulate
himself on success. He was trying his hand again now, but did it
with a faltering voice, having caught a glance of his friend's
eye.

'I dare say not,' said Lopez. Then he continued without changing
his voice or the nature of his eye. 'I'll tell you what I want
you to do now. I want your name to this bill for three months.'

Sexty Parker opened his mouth and his eyes, and took the bit of
paper that was tendered to him. It was a promissory note for 750
pounds, which, if signed by him, would at the end of the
specified period make him liable for that sum were it not
otherwise paid. His friend Mr Lopez was indeed applying to him
for the assistance of his name in raising a loan to the amount of
the sum named. This was a kind of favour which a man should ask
almost on his knees,--and which, if so asked, Mr Sextus Parker
would certainly refuse. And here was Ferdinand Lopez asking it,
who, Sextus Parker had latterly regarded as an opulent man,--and
asking it not at all on his knees, but, as one might say, at the
muzzle of a pistol. 'Accommodation bill!' said Sexty. 'Why, you
ain't hard up, are you?'