`Good-day,' said Sir Mulberry, turning abruptly on his heel, and drawing his pupil with him. Falling, again, into the loitering, careless pace at which they had entered, they lounged out, arm-in-arm.

`I won't give him a case of murder to read,' muttered Sir Mulberry with an oath; `but it shall be something very near it if whip-cord cuts and bludgeons bruise.'

His companion said nothing, but there was something in his manner which galled Sir Mulberry to add, with nearly as much ferocity as if his friend had been Nicholas himself,

`I sent Jenkins to old Nickleby before eight o'clock this morning. He's a staunch one; he was back with me before the messenger. I had it all from him in the first five minutes. I know where this hound is to be met with--time and place both. But there's no need to talk; tomorrow will soon be here.'

`And wha-at's to be done tomorrow?' inquired Lord Frederick.

Sir Mulberry Hawk honoured him with an angry glance, but condescended to return no verbal answer to this inquiry. Both walked sullenly on, as though their thoughts were busily occupied, until they were quite clear of the crowd, and almost alone, when Sir Mulberry wheeled round to return.

`Stop,' said his companion, `I want to speak to you--in earnest. Don't turn back. Let us walk here, a few minutes.'

`What have you to say to me, that you could not say yonder as well as here?' returned his Mentor, disengaging his arm.

`Hawk,' rejoined the other, `tell me; I must know--'

`Must know,' interrupted the other disdainfully. `Whew! Go on. If you must know, of course there's no escape for me. Must know!'

`Must ask then,' returned Lord Frederick, `and must press you for a plain and straightforward answer--is what you have just said only a mere whim of the moment, occasioned by your being out of humour and irritated, or is it your serious intention, and one that you have actually contemplated?'

`Why, don't you remember what passed on the subject one night, when I was laid up with a broken limb?' said Sir Mulberry, with a sneer.

`Perfectly well.'

`Then take that for an answer, in the devil's name,' replied Sir Mulberry, `and ask me for no other.'

Such was the ascendancy he had acquired over his dupe, and such the latter's general habit of submission, that, for the moment, the young man seemed half afraid to pursue the subject. He soon overcame this feeling, however, if it had restrained him at all, and retorted angrily:

`If I remember what passed at the time you speak of, I expressed a strong opinion on this subject, and said that, with my knowledge or consent, you never should do what you threaten now.'

`Will you prevent me?' asked Sir Mulberry, with a laugh.

`Ye-es, if I can,' returned the other, promptly.

`A very proper saving clause, that last,' said Sir Mulberry; `and one you stand in need of. Oh! look to your own business, and leave me to look to mine.'