Mr Flintwinch took the letter, and read, under date of Paris, 'We have
to present to you, on behalf of a highly esteemed correspondent of our
Firm, M. Blandois, of this city,' &c. &c. 'Such facilities as he may
require and such attentions as may lie in your power,' &c. &c. 'Also
have to add that if you will honour M. Blandois' drafts at sight to the
extent of, say Fifty Pounds sterling (150),' &c. &c.
'Very good, sir,' said Mr Flintwinch. 'Take a chair. To the extent of
anything that our House can do--we are in a retired, old-fashioned,
steady way of business, sir--we shall be happy to render you our best
assistance. I observe, from the date of this, that we could not yet be
advised of it. Probably you came over with the delayed mail that brings
the advice.'
'That I came over with the delayed mail, sir,' returned Mr Blandois,
passing his white hand down his high-hooked nose, 'I know to the cost
of my head and stomach: the detestable and intolerable weather having
racked them both. You see me in the plight in which I came out of the
packet within this half-hour. I ought to have been here hours ago,
and then I should not have to apologise--permit me to apologise--for
presenting myself so unreasonably, and frightening--no, by-the-bye, you
said not frightening; permit me to apologise again--the esteemed lady,
Mrs Clennam, in her invalid chamber above stairs.' S
wagger and an air of authorised condescension do so much, that
Mr Flintwinch had already begun to think this a highly gentlemanly
personage. Not the less unyielding with him on that account, he scraped
his chin and said, what could he have the honour of doing for Mr
Blandois to-night, out of business hours?
'Faith!' returned that gentleman, shrugging his cloaked shoulders,
'I must change, and eat and drink, and be lodged somewhere. Have the
kindness to advise me, a total stranger, where, and money is a matter of
perfect indifference until to-morrow. The nearer the place, the better.
Next door, if that's all.' Mr Flintwinch was slowly beginning, 'For a gentleman of your habits,
there is not in this immediate neighbourhood any hotel--' when Mr
Blandois took him up.
'So much for my habits! my dear sir,' snapping his fingers. 'A citizen
of the world has no habits. That I am, in my poor way, a gentleman,
by Heaven! I will not deny, but I have no unaccommodating prejudiced
habits. A clean room, a hot dish for dinner, and a bottle of not
absolutely poisonous wine, are all I want tonight. But I want that much
without the trouble of going one unnecessary inch to get it.'