'Will you do me the favour to present my compliments to the constituent body, and acquaint them with this circumstance?
'With great esteem, 'My dear Mr Pugstyles, '&c.&c.'
'Then you will not resign, under any circumstances?' asked the spokesman.
Mr Gregsbury smiled, and shook his head.
'Then, good-morning, sir,' said Pugstyles, angrily.
'Heaven bless you!' said Mr Gregsbury. And the deputation, with many growls and scowls, filed off as quickly as the narrowness of the staircase would allow of their getting down.
The last man being gone, Mr Gregsbury rubbed his hands and chuckled, as merry fellows will, when they think they have said or done a more than commonly good thing; he was so engrossed in this self- congratulation, that he did not observe that Nicholas had been left behind in
