fortune should go and fall head over ears in love with a red-headed young
feller what ain't got a penny to bless hisself with! Not but what he ain't
got good looks--and brains. And brains is brains, when all's said!"

That night, as Lauriston sat writing in his shabby little room, a knock
came at his door--the door opened, and Melky slid in, laying his finger to
the side of his large nose in token of confidence.

"Hope I ain't interrupting," said Melky. "I say, mister, I been thinking
about that catalogue business. Now I come to sort of reflect on it, I
think my friend'll go to ten pound. So we'll say ten pound--what? And I'll
take you to see him next Friday. And I say, mister--if a pound or two on
account 'ud be of any service--say the word, d'ye see?"

With this friendly assurance, Melky plunged his hand into a hip-pocket,
and drew out some gold, which he held towards Lauriston on his open palm.

"Two or three pound on account, now, mister?" he said, ingratiatingly.
"You're welcome as the flowers in May!"

But Lauriston shook his head; he had already decided on a plan of his own,
if the expected remittance did not arrive next morning.

"No, thank you," he answered. "It's uncommonly good of you--but I can
manage very well indeed--I can, really! Next Friday, then--I'll go with
you. I'm very much obliged to you."

Melky slipped his money into his pocket--conscious of having done his
part. "Just as you like, mister," he said. "But you was welcome, you know.
Next Friday, then--and you can reckon on cash down for this job."