Mr. Gwynn inclined his head.

"Can you give me, sir, some notion of what Talon & Trehawke are to
have?" asked Mr. Gwynn.

"Their letter addressed to you--here it is--says that sixty per cent. of
the stock can be had for two millions eight hundred thousand."

"Very good, sir," and Mr. Gwynn bowed deeply.

Richard pulled on his gloves to depart, whereat Mr. Pickwick yelped
frantically from his cushion. Richard tapped Mr. Pickwick with the
lacquered rattan.

"Old man," said Richard, "I am going to take a look at the lady I love."
Mr. Pickwick moaned querulously, while Richard sought the street.

Richard, the day before, dispatched a note and a card to Mrs.
Hanway-Harley and had been told in reply that he might call to-day at
three. Richard decided to repair to the club, and wait for three
o'clock.

Richard, during his week in Washington, had found a deserted corner in
the club and pre-empted it. At those times when he honored the club with
his presence, he occupied this vantage point. From it he was given both
a view of the street and a fair survey of the apartment itself. No one
approached him; his atmosphere was repellant; beyond civil nods,
curtailed to the last limit of civility, his intercourse with his
fellows had not advanced.