696 GRESHAM GRASSHOPPER. 



And he peered up at the rigid features of his intended son-in-law., 

 who replied, with more of sorrow than of anger. 



" Be it so, be is so ;" and was about to take his departure, when 

 stopped by the knight. 



" Think you I would so use an old friend, Argent ? But I could 

 not help smiling, when you wanted to persuade me I knew not my 

 own nephew the profligate !" 



Hereupon Argent began to wax wroth, and smote his thigh, as 

 he exclaimed 



" I can tell you one thing, Sir Crab, old friends though we be, 

 and in spite of the projected alliance, I will not tamely submit to be 

 insulted." 



" Heyday ! what next ? Insulted !" 



" I now repeat, in the plainest conceivable terms, that Lord 

 Creighton has just entered your house. If you have reasons for con- 

 cealing him so be it I wish you good morning." 



Sir Crab, after regarding the speaker for some time, in utter 

 amazement, muttered 



" You are mad, Sir, mad ! mad as a March hare ! by ' the immor- 

 tal Magog.' " 



Argent's ears were sufficiently acute to transmit this startling 

 accusation to the seat of understanding ; and he replied 



" Such language, Sir Crab, makes this, in all probability, the last 

 interview we may ever have. That unhappy disposition to make the 

 best bargain breaks through a friendship, which the trials of thirty 

 years had not impaired. You call me mad ! I still assert the Duke 

 of Nottingham's eldest son, Lord Creighton, is under your roof; and 

 I will give you a proof sufficient for the satisfaction of any man. 

 Yesterday, no longer since than yesterday, I had some pecuniary 

 transactions with his lordship ; and must, therefore, of necessity, be 

 acquainted with his person. Now, are you satisfied ?" 



Sir Crab stared, as well he might, at such positive assertion ; and, 

 for a moment, appeared in a state of doubt as to his conduct. 



" Come, Sir Crab, come," said Argent, noting the worthy mer- 

 chant's hesitation, " here's my hand. Let not so long a friendship, 

 as ours be terminated by such a mistake. Identity is easily ascer- 

 tained from the parties themselves ;" and he was moving forward for 

 this purpose, when Lady Numberwell made her appearance. 



" Only think, Numby, only think your nephew, Bolland " 



" There !" interrupted the knight ; " he will have him a lord ! 

 what's the use of my talking. He's only fit for Bedlam," pointing 

 to Argent. 



" Heaven preserve us !" ejaculated the lady ; " a mad friend in the 

 house." 



" Zounds and the devil, madam !" began the now enraged Argent 

 but a coughing fit suddenly put an end to the period, so elo- 

 quently commenced. Sir Crab seemed still undecided; while 

 Lady Numberwell retreated behind him. 



At that instant, hearing the voice of Sir Crab, Wilmot, using the 

 privilege of a relation, followed the sound, and unexpectedly appeared 

 before the trio. Had a rattle-snake suddenly crossed his path, he 

 could not have rushed past the terrific object, and disappeared with 



