marked me for a week or two, but I'll put a mark on him that he shall carry to his grave. I'll slit his nose and ears -- flog him -- maim him for life. I'll do more than that; I'll drag that pattern of chastity, that pink of prudery, the delicate sister, through --'

It might have been that even Ralph's cold blood tingled in his cheeks at that moment. It might have been that Sir Mulberry remembered, that, knave and usurer as he was, he must, in some early time of infancy, have twined his arm about her father's neck. He stopped, and menacing with his hand, confirmed the unuttered threat with a tremendous oath.

`It is a galling thing,' said Ralph, after a short term of silence, during which he had eyed the sufferer keenly, `to think that the man about town, the rake, the roue, the rook of twenty seasons should be brought to this pass by a mere boy!'

Sir Mulberry darted a wrathful look at him, but Ralph's eyes were bent upon the ground, and his face wore no other expression than one of thoughtfulness.

`A raw, slight stripling,' continued Ralph, `against a man whose very weight might crush him; to say nothing of his skill in -- I am right, I think,' said Ralph, raising his eyes, `you were a parton of the ring once, were you not?'

The sick man made an impatient gesture, which Ralph chose to consider as one of acquiescence.

`Ha!' he said, `I thought so. That was before I knew you, but I was pretty sure I couldn't be mistaken. He is light and active, I suppose. But those were slight advantages compared with yours. Luck, luck -- these hang-dog outcasts have it.'

`He'll need the most he has, when I am well again,' said Sir Mulberry Hawk, `let him fly where he will.'

`Oh!' returned Ralph quickly, `he doesn't dream of that. He is here, good sir, waiting your pleasure -- here in London, walking the streets at noonday; carrying it off jauntily; looking for you, I swear,' said Ralph, his face darkening, and his own hatred getting the upper hand of him, for the first time, as this gay picture of Nicholas presented itself; `if we were only citizens of a country where it could be safely done, I'd give good money to have him stabbed to the heart and rolled into the kennel for the dogs to tear.'

As Ralph, somewhat to the surprise of his old client, vented this little piece of sound family feeling, and took up his hat preparatory to departing, Lord Frederick Verisopht looked in.

`Why what in the deyvle's name, Hawk, have you and Nickleby been talking about?' said the young man. `I neyver heard such an insufferable riot. Croak, croak, croak. Bow, wow, wow. What has it all been about?'

`Sir Mulberry has been angry, my Lord,' said Ralph, looking towards the couch.

`Not about money, I hope? Nothing has gone wrong in business, has it, Nickleby?'

`No, my Lord, no,' returned Ralph. `On that point we always agree. Sir Mulberry has been calling to mind the cause of --'

There was neither necessity nor opportunity for Ralph to proceed; for Sir Mulberry took up the theme, and vented his threats and oaths against Nicholas, almost as ferociously as before.

Ralph, who was no common observer, was surprised to see that as this tirade proceeded, the manner of Lord Frederick Verisopht, who at the commencement had been twirling his whiskers with a most dandified and listless air, underwent a complete alteration. He was still more surprised when, Sir Mulberry ceasing to speak, the young lord angrily, and almost unaffectedly, requested never to have the subject renewed in his presence.