Chapter VII: From Sir Henry Say to Cuthbert Haddington. March 11th

My dear Bertie,--Last night I skimmed some of the cream of life, and incidentally got an idea for a _lever de rideau_, of which I make you a present.

Far be it from me to glean from the crop of trouble of a man whose salt I have eaten, but the situation was a gift from the gods, which I will not spoil on a sheet of notepaper. When have you a free evening?

Always, Harry.