‘Won’t he rob you, old fellow?’ suggested Nidderdale,

’Of course he will;—­but he won’t let any one else do it.  One has to be plucked, but it’s everything to have it done on a system.  If he’ll only let me have ten shillings out of every sovereign I think I can get along.’  Let us hope that Mr Squercum was merciful, and that Dolly was enabled to live in accordance with his virtuous resolutions,

But these things did not arrange themselves till late in the winter,—­ long after Mr Fisker’s departure for California.  That, however, was protracted till a day much later than he anticipated before he had become intimate with Madame Melmotte and Marie.  Madame Melmotte’s affairs occupied him for a...