"
On the following morning my breakfast-table was covered with shoals of
letters, from fellows whom I scarcely ever had spoken to,--or who, to
use a franker phraseology, had scarcely ever condescended to speak to
me,--entreating my influence as a director to obtain them shares in the
new undertaking. I never bore malice in my life, so I chalked them down,
without favouritism, for a certain proportion. While engaged in this
charitable work, the door flew open, and M'Corkindale, looking utterly
haggard with excitement, rushed in.
"You may buy an estate whenever you please, Dunshunner," cried he; "the
world's gone perfectly mad! I have been to Blazes, the broker, and he
tells me that the whole amount of the stock has been subscribed for four
times over already, and he has not yet got in the returns from Edinburgh
and Liverpool!"
"Are they good names, though, Bob--sure cards--none of your M'Closkies
and M'Alcohols?"
"The first names in the city, I assure you, and most of them holders for
investment. I wouldn't take ten millions for their capital."
"Then the sooner we close the list the better."
"I think so too.
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