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Rh of the gentlemen confederates trooped somewhat noisily into the apartment.

"Softly, softly, Messieurs," said the President, recovering all his constitutional gaiety, yet blending it with a certain negligent command—"respect for the chair, if you please! 'tis the way with all assemblies where the public purse is a matter of deferential interest!"

"Hear him!" cried Tomlinson.

"What, my old friend Bags!" said the President, "you have not come empty-handed, I will swear; your honest face is like the table of contents to the good things in your pockets!"

"Ah, Captain Clifford," said the veteran, groaning, and shaking his reverend head, "I have seen the day when there was not a lad in England forked so largely, so comprehensively-like, as I did. But, as King Lear says at Common Garden, 'I be's old now!'"

"But your zeal is as youthful as ever, my fine fellow," said the Captain soothingly; "and if you do not clean out the public as thoroughly