Mr. Chichester was dressed in his usually fashionable manner; and his gait had lost nothing of the care-nothing-for-anybody kind of swagger which characterised him when he was first introduced to the reader.
Having thrown himself listlessly upon a chair, he said, "I presume our mutual friend Greenwood has mentioned my name to you, Mr. Tomlinson?"
"He has. I was prepared for your visit."
"But not for its object, perhaps?" said Chichester.
"I am as yet ignorant on that head," was the reply.
"Mr. Greenwood then told you nothing—"
"Nothing, save an intimation that my services were required in a certain delicate and important matter, and that five hundred pounds would be my remuneration."
"Perfectly correct," answered Mr. Chichester. "Are you disposed to aid me on the proposed terms?"
"I must first learn the nature of the business in which my interference is needed."
"And if you should then decline?"