Mr Flintwinch took the letter, and read, under date of Paris, 'We have

to present to you, on behalf of a highly esteemed correspondent of our

Firm, M. Blandois, of this city,' &c. &c. 'Such facilities as he may

require and such attentions as may lie in your power,' &c. &c. 'Also

have to add that if you will honour M. Blandois' drafts at sight to the

extent of, say Fifty Pounds sterling (150),' &c. &c.

'Very good, sir,' said Mr Flintwinch. 'Take a chair. To the extent of

anything that our House can do--we are in a retired, old-fashioned,

steady way of business, sir--we shall be happy to render you our best

assistance. I observe, from the date of this, that we could not yet be

advised of it. Probably you came over with the delayed mail that brings

the advice.'

'That I came over with the delayed mail, sir,' returned Mr Blandois,

passing his white hand down his high-hooked nose, 'I know to the cost

of my head and stomach: the detestable and intolerable weather having

racked them both. You see me in the plight in which I came out of the

packet within this half-hour. I ought to have been here hours ago,

and then I should not have to apologise--permit me to apologise--for

presenting myself so unreasonably, and frightening--no, by-the-bye, you

said not frightening; permit me to apologise again--the esteemed lady,

Mrs Clennam, in her invalid chamber above stairs.' S

wagger and an air of authorised condescension do so much, that

Mr Flintwinch had already begun to think this a highly gentlemanly

personage. Not the less unyielding with him on that account, he scraped

his chin and said, what could he have the honour of doing for Mr

Blandois to-night, out of business hours?

'Faith!' returned that gentleman, shrugging his cloaked shoulders,

'I must change, and eat and drink, and be lodged somewhere. Have the

kindness to advise me, a total stranger, where, and money is a matter of

perfect indifference until to-morrow. The nearer the place, the better.

Next door, if that's all.' Mr Flintwinch was slowly beginning, 'For a gentleman of your habits,

there is not in this immediate neighbourhood any hotel--' when Mr

Blandois took him up.

'So much for my habits! my dear sir,' snapping his fingers. 'A citizen

of the world has no habits. That I am, in my poor way, a gentleman,

by Heaven! I will not deny, but I have no unaccommodating prejudiced

habits. A clean room, a hot dish for dinner, and a bottle of not

absolutely poisonous wine, are all I want tonight. But I want that much

without the trouble of going one unnecessary inch to get it.'




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