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without ceremony, opened the office-door and inquired of Gabriel Gubbins if his governor were in? The matrimonial alliance had made Mr. Jingles familiar, and consequently Gabriel vouchsafed a civil reply, which would not have been the case had he been an ordinary client, and had no such connecting link subsisted. The clerk replied in the affirmative. The son-in-law walked

forward and gave a ra-ta-tap against the resonating panel of the door conducting to Gideon, and at the same time turned the handle. There he beheld his father-in-law enthroned upon the huge chair which for forty years he had occupied, literally halfsuffocated with musty cobwebby deeds and dusty, very dusty documents. It is true that in a bright summer's morning this scriptorium had a less sedative effect upon the visitor's nerves than ordinary; there was a certain degree of lightsome cheeriness about it, and though everything appeared timeworn and faded and shabby, yet the iron stauncheons did not look so prison-like, the aspect was less heart-achy, and if Mr.

Clincher of this time were compared with Mr. Clincher of the last time we described him there, it is indisputable that he had a less withering visage. Perhaps it was the July sun that lit that happy smile which danced on his flexible features, perhaps his soul was now in its communings with itself, delighted by some gratulatory thoughts. However, some dimpling merriness played upon the surface, whatever of good or ill might lurk below.

"Pon my honour here you are again, semper idem-always at it-amongst those confounded vellums and parchments. I had nurtured the hope, now that you had become a large landed proprietor, and doubtless one of those days Deputy-Lieutenant and J.P. of the county of, that you would no longer immure yourself in these horribly dim and dismal chambers," observed Mr. Jingles, as he very affectionately put forth his hand and cordially grasped that of his new parent.

"Obliged to set things square, my dear Jingles; must settle a few matters before

retiring, my good fellow," returned Gideon, in honied accents.

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Well, 'tis, I dare say, to the benefit of society in general that tastes differ, but for my own part, I could no more submit to such drudgery than I could have patience to count every hair on the Lord Chancellor's wig. I must make a little money in a more facile and expeditious manner. What will you say when I tell you that by a single transaction yesterday I cleared two hundred and seventeen pounds nineteen shillings and fourpence three farthings? On 'Change we make it a little faster and more comfortably than you legal gentlemen," continued Jingles, with a self-complacent smile; then giggling "he-be-he-he," and running his fingers through his thick flowing tresses.

Gideon held up his head in manifest consternation; he took from his nose his spectacles, and heartily rubbed them with the corner of a huge silk pocket handkerchief. Having performed this little operation, he re-adjusted the lunettes, and rolling up the said kerchief into globular dimensions, dex

terously threw it into his hat, where he always carried that necessary article, considering it there in safer custody than in either of his capacious pockets. How very fortunate, thought Mr. Clincher, Letitia had been in making such a selection.

"Well, I suppose you have heard nothing respecting that old fox and his cubs ?" said Mr. Jingles," after a few moments' pause. "Nothing whatever," answered the solicitor.

"I fancy he would require a tolerable amount of rooting out; be difficult to force from his hold," laughingly continued the younger.

"He was very averse to leaving, I believe, but my terriers dogged him from his earth," said Mr. Clincher, somewhat facetiously.

"I trust he'll ere long become partial to his Welch seat, and find much consolation in mountain mutton and the pure air of that romantic hill country. Probably he is fond of scenery and loves retirement, and if so the change will prove agreeable," sarcastically observed the son-in-law.

"For my part, I care very little about him

or his. I hope, however, I may never set my eyes upon him again; he is a haughty, broken-down old jackass, for ever boasting about his family, and ingloriously dwelling upon the merits of his ancestors. Those seven daughters may now turn Welch milk-maids, and, in compliance with the fashion of the Principality, wear up his old hats. Who'll have them, I should like to know, such proud, penniless unfortunates. Sensible men wont stultify themselves by marrying such prizes!"

When Gideon thus delivered himself, it was indisputable that he was irate, and that the recollection of the De Bohuns stirred up the bile in his blood. He never forgot how Godfrey had spurned his daughter for his son, and he verily believed what a sinister game the old squire had played in that proposal for an alliance. Mr. Clincher truly spoke from his feelings when he declared he cared little pertaining to the late proprietor of Elleringay and his family. He recked as little for his mischances as he did for the cage of Bajazet or the victories of Tamerlane.

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