266
WYLDER'S HAJVD.
The Vicar read it with a vague comprehension, and in
his cold fingers shook the hand of his fellow-sufferer.
Less than fifty pounds would not do! Oh, where was he
to turn? It was quite hopeless, and poor Larkin pressed
too!
Now, there was this consolation in "poor Larkin's"
case, that although he was quite run aground and a de-
faulter in the Dollington Bank to the extent of 11. 12s.
Ad. yet in that similar institution, which flourished at
Naunton, only nine miles away, there stood to his name
the satisfactory credit of 564/. lis. Id. One advantage
which the good attorney derived from his double account
with the rival institutions was, that whenever convenient
he could throw one of these certificates of destitution and
impotence sadly under the eyes of a client in want of
money, like poor Will Wylder.
The attorney had no pleasure in doing people ill turns.
But he had come to hear the distresses of his clients a3
tranquilly as doctors do the pangs of their patients. As
he stood meditating near his window, he saw the poor Vi-
car, with slow limbs and downcast countenance, walk un-
der his laburnums and laurustinuses towards his little
gate, and suddenly stop and turn round, and make about
a dozen quick steps, like a man who has found a bright
ide« Awards the house, and then come to a thoughtful halt,
urn and recommence his slow march of despair
\
^ock — it was dark now — there was a tread
is, and a double tattoo at the tiny knocker.
?r." /
'»gd the Vicar's study, wh're he was
out his sermon,
ing about you — and I have just
friend, who wants high interest,