'Right! You can't do it too soon,' said Mr Meagles.

'Now, as I came down to-day, I found that your friend, Mr Doyce, is

looking for a partner in his business--not a partner in his mechanical

knowledge, but in the ways and means of turning the business arising

from it to the best account.' 'Just so,' said Mr Meagles, with his hands in his pockets, and with

the old business expression of face that had belonged to the scales and

scoop.

'Mr Doyce mentioned incidentally, in the course of our conversation,

that he was going to take your valuable advice on the subject of finding

such a partner. If you should think our views and opportunities at all

likely to coincide, perhaps you will let him know my available position.

I speak, of course, in ignorance of the details, and they may be

unsuitable on both sides.'

'No doubt, no doubt,' said Mr Meagles, with the caution belonging to the

scales and scoop. 'But they will be a question of figures and accounts--'

'Just so, just so,' said Mr Meagles, with arithmetical solidity

belonging to the scales and scoop. '--And I shall be glad to enter into the subject, provided Mr Doyce

responds, and you think well of it. If you will at present, therefore,

allow me to place it in your hands, you will much oblige me.

' 'Clennam, I accept the trust with readiness,' said Mr Meagles. 'And

without anticipating any of the points which you, as a man of business,

have of course reserved, I am free to say to you that I think something

may come of this. Of one thing you may be perfectly certain. Daniel is

an honest man.'

'I am so sure of it that I have promptly made up my mind to speak to

you.' 'You must guide him, you know; you must steer him; you must direct

him; he is one of a crotchety sort,' said Mr Meagles, evidently meaning

nothing more than that he did new things and went new ways; 'but he is

as honest as the sun, and so good night!' Clennam went back to his room,

sat down again before his fire, and made up his mind that he was glad

he had resolved not to fall in love with Pet. She was so beautiful,

so amiable, so apt to receive any true impression given to her gentle

nature and her innocent heart, and make the man who should be so happy

as to communicate it, the most fortunate and enviable of all men, that

he was very glad indeed he had come to that conclusion.




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