"Then I shall certainly recommend Mr Newland not to come here when he returns, Mr Wallace, for I hold myself, to a certain degree, after the many dinners we have ordered here, and of which I have partaken, as I may say, particeps criminis, or in other words, as having been a party to this extortion. Indeed, Mr Wallace, some reduction must be made, or you will greatly hurt the credit of your house."
Mr Wallace declared, that really he had made nothing but the usual charges; that he would look over the bill again, and see what he could do.
"My dear Newland," said the Major, "I have ordered your dinners, allow me to settle your bill. Now, Mr Wallace, suppose we take off one-third?"
"One-third, Major Carbonnell! I should be a loser."
"I am not exactly of your opinion; but let me see—now take your choice. Take off £20, or you lose my patronage, and that of all my friends. Yes or no?"
The landlord, with some expostulation, at last consented, he receipted the bill, and leaving £20 of the money on the salver, made his bow, and retired.
"Rather fortunate that I supped in, my dear Newland; now there are £20 saved. By-the-bye, I'm short of cash. You've no objection to let me have this? I shall never pay you, you know."
"I do know you never will pay me, Major; nevertheless, as I should have paid it to the landlord had you not interfered, I will lend it to you."
"You are a good fellow, Newland," said the Major, pocketing the money. "If I had borrowed it, and you had thought you would have had it repaid, I should not have thanked you; but as you lend it me with your eyes open, it is nothing more than a very delicate manner of obliging me, and I tell you candidly, that I will not forget it. So you really are off to-morrow?"
"Yes," replied I, "I must go, for I find that I am not to make ducks and drakes of my money, until I come into possession of my property."