"Rather sharp work this, Mr. Cutlet. I suppose you are giving over business, and don't care how you part with your customers?" said the old gentleman.
"No, indeed, sir; these are no times for giving over, especially to a man with a large family; but, really, my Lady Anne Granard being such a bargainer to an ounce o' meat as I never met with, and who kep her family on less than one-half what other people consumes, ought to be made to pay, since she von't do it vithout. That there foreign gen'l'man vot paid her debts last summer, an' vent and sold his 'oss (as pretty a bit o' blood as ever I see), to oblige her, is gone avay, and she have shut herself up and purtends to be hill, so I adn't no other vay."
"Pretends!—she's dying. Here's a check for you, and send my bill immediately."
Many apologies were in course of being uttered, but the men, having finished their job and received some silver from Arthur, all went away together, leaving Mr. Palmer to turn over all he had heard respecting the poor Count, and what he had called Lady Anne's "devilries," which he determined to communicate to Mr. Glentworth immediately on his return.
