I14 A Perfect Gentleman.

than we can get here. What is good for a
man to have, will be made up to him some
time or other ; as for what is not good for
him to have, why, he is better without it.
There’s no doubt about that.”

But as Wilcox returned to his own shop,
he had considerable doubts on the point,
and thought his neighbour a great fool, and
himself a very clever man. The Sunday
was spent in executing Mr. Harcourt’s order.
The harness was sent home on the Monday ;
the money was promptly paid; a fresh order
was given, and Wilcox again congratulated
himself on his good luck.

It was some weeks after, and they had
been weeks of great trouble to Benson, that
another carriage stopped at the door of his
shop; a well-appointed dark-green brougham,
drawn by a comfortable, sleek-looking horse,
and driven by a coachman whose well-to-do
appearance was quite in keeping with that of
the equipage.

Whilst Benson was wondering who his
visitor might be, the carriage-door opened
quickly, and a fine-looking man, in military
attire, got out, and walked into the shop