``No, for I am only embarked in certainties,''replied Danglars, with the air of a mountebank sounding his own praises;``to involve me, three governments must crumble to dust.''

'My employer, ma'am--Mr. Heep--once did me the favour to observe to me, that if I were not in the receipt of the stipendiary emoluments appertaining to my engagement with him, I should probably be a mountebank about the country, swallowing a sword-blade, and eating the devouring element.