"The devil!" ejaculated Frank, as he cast his eyes over the inclosure: "'Bill delivered, £876 6s. 6d.' God bless my soul! that's a stinger! Why, I thought all the furniture must have been paid for, my dear?"
"Not exactly, love—you perceive," returned the lady. "One never pays an upholsterer's bill for so long a time, you know: indeed—it quite slipped my memory, it's such a trifle!"
"Well, so it is, dear," observed Frank, reassured by the calm and indifferent way in which his wife disposed of the trifle: and he proceeded to open another letter, which announced a second trifle in the ensuing manner:—
Furnival's Inn.
"Sir,
"We are desired by Messieurs Ore and Dross, jewellers, to apply to you for the payment of 377l. 10s. being the amount of debt contracted by your present wife, late Mrs. Goldberry, with our clients; and unless the same be paid, together with 6s. 8d. for cost of this application, within three days from the date hereof, we shall be compelled to have recourse to ulterior measures without farther notice.
"Your obedient Servants,
"Dawkins and Smasher."
"What a thundering lot of jewellery you must have, to be sure, dear!" exclaimed Frank, as he handed this letter to his wife. "But, 'pon my soul! I think you've been rather extravagant, love—haven't you?"
"Oh! my dear—ladies must have jewellery, you know," returned Mrs. Curtis; "and, after all I have paid Ore and Dross, I really am surprised at their importunity. But we will pay them, and have done with them, dear."