WYLDER'S HAJVD.
279
began to feel a little nervous about the explosion he was
about to provoke.
The Brandon connection, one way or other, was worth
to the attorney in hard cash between five and six hundred
a-year. In influence, and what is termed " position," it
was, of course, worth a great deal more. It would be a
very serious blow to lose this. He did not, he hoped,
care for money more than a good man ought; but such a
loss, he would say, he could not afford.
Precisely the same, however, was to be said of his con-
nection with Mark Wylder; and in fact, of late years Mr.
Jos. Larkin of the Lodge had begun to put by money so fast
that he was growing rapidly to be a very considerable man
indeed. "Everything," as he said, "was doing very nice-
ly; and it would be a deplorable thing to mar, by any
untowad act, this pilgrim's quiet and prosperous progress.
In this stage of his reverie he was interrupted by a tall,
powdered footman, in the Brandon livery, who came re-
spectfully to announce that his master desired to see Mr.
Larkin.
Larkin's soul sneered at this piece of state. Why
could he not put his head in at the door and call him?
But still I think it impressed him, and that, diplomatical-
ly, Captain Lake was in the right to environ himself with
the ceremonial of a lord of Brandon.
"Well, Larkin, how d'ye do? Anything about
Baikes's lease?" said the great Captain Lake, rising from
behind his desk, with his accustomed smile, and extending
his gentleman-like hand.
"No, sir — nothing, Captain Lake. He has not come,
and I don't think we should show any anxiety about it," re-
plied the attorney, taking the Captain's thin hand rather
deferentially. "I've had — a — such a letter from my
— my client, Mr. Mark Wylder. He writes in a violent