The world belongs to the rascals. It is like 'the turf,' where, everyone
admits, an honest man can hardly hold his own. Jos. Larkin looked down on
the seedy and distracted vicar from an immense moral elevation. He heard
him talk of religion with disgust. He owed him costs, and, beside, costs
also to Burlington, Smith, and Co. Was there not Talkative in 'Pilgrim's
Progress?' I believe there are few things more provoking than that a man
who owes you money, and can't pay the interest, should pretend to
religion to your face, except, perhaps, his giving sixpence in charity.

The attorney was prosperous. He accounted for it by his attributes, and
the blessing that waits on industry and integrity. He did not see that
luck and selfishness had anything to do with it. No man ever failed but
through his own fault--none ever succeeded but by his deservings. The
attorney was in a position to lecture the Rev. Mr. Wylder. In his
presence, religion, in the vicar's mouth, was an impertinence.

The vicar, on the other hand, was all that we know. Perhaps, in
comparison, his trial is, in some sort, a blessing; and that there is no
greater snare than the state of the man with whom all goes smoothly, and
who mistakes his circumstances for his virtues.

The poor vicar and his little following were got pretty well into the
Furcae Caudinae. Mr. Jos. Larkin, if he did not march him out, to do him
justice, had had no hand in primarily bringing him there. There was no
reason, however, why the respectable lawyer should not make whatever was
to be fairly made of the situation. The best thing for both was, perhaps,
that the one should sell and the other buy the reversion. Larkin had no
apprehensions about the nature of the dealing. He was furnished with an
excellent character--his cheques were always honoured--his 'tots' always
unexceptionable--his vouchers never anything but exact. He had twice been