It's enough to disgust any man with civilized life; on my soul, it is!" Edward glanced at the superscription of the letter.

"Not posted," he remarked.
"No; delivered by some confounded bailiff, who's been hounding me." "Bailiffs don't generally deal in warnings." "Will you read it!" Algernon shouted.
The letter ran thus:-- "Mr.Algernon Blancove,-- "The writer of this intends taking the first opportunity of meeting you, and gives you warning, you will have to answer his question with a Yes or a No; and speak from your conscience.

The respectfulness of his behaviour to you as a gentleman will depend upon that." Algernon followed his cousin's eye down to the last letter in the page.
"What do you think of it ?" he asked eagerly.
Edward's broad thin-lined brows were drawn down in gloom.

Mastering some black meditation in his brain, he answered Algernon's yells for an opinion,-- "I think--well, I think bailiffs have improved in their manners, and show you they are determined to belong to the social march in an age of universal progress.

Nothing can be more comforting." "But, suppose this fellow comes across me ?" "Don't know him." "Suppose he insists on knowing me ?" "Don't know yourself." "Yes; but hang it! if he catches hold of me ?" "Shake him off." "Suppose he won't let go ?" "Cut him with your horsewhip." "You think it's about a debt, then ?" "Intimidation, evidently." "I shall announce to him that the great Edward Blancove is not to be intimidated.