forward to receive me, and, in great perplexity, said he would be at my
command; he would settle my business immediately; but must beg my pardon
for five minutes, while he settled with this gentleman, _Mr. Montenero_. On
hearing the name, I am sure my look would have said plain enough to any man
alive but Baldwin, that I did not choose to be introduced; but Baldwin has
no breeding: so it was _Mr. Montenero, Mr. Harrington--Mr. Harrington, Mr.
Montenero_. I bowed, and wished the _Jew_ in the Red Sea, and Baldwin along
with him. I then took up a newspaper and retreated to the window, begging
that I might not be any interruption. The cursed paper was four days old,
so I put it down; and as I stood looking at nothing out of the window, I
heard Baldwin going on with your Jew. They had a load of papers on the
table, which Baldwin kept shuffling, as he talked about the losses the
house had sustained by the sudden death of Alderman Coates, and the sad
bankruptcy of the executors. Baldwin seasoned high with compliments to the
Jew upon his known liberality and generosity, and was trying to get him to
enter into some security, which the Jew refused, saying that what he gave
he gave willingly, but he would not enter into security: he added, that the
alderman and his family had been unjustifiably extravagant; but on
condition that all was given up fairly to the creditors, and a new course
entered upon, he and his daughter would take care that the widow should be
provided for properly. As principal creditor, Mr. Baldwin would, by this
means, be first satisfied. I could not help thinking that all the Jew said
was fair enough, and firm too; but when he had said and done, I wondered
that he did not go away. He and Baldwin came to the window to which I had
retreated, and Baldwin, like a city bear as he is, got in his awkward way
between us, and seizing one button of my coat and one of Mr. Montenero's,
held us there face to face, while he went on talking of my demand on the
house.

"'You see, Mr. Harrington,' said he, 'how we are circumstanced. The