<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.41


                           LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT


                             Dated January 31, 2001


                                   $25,000,000


          IN FAVOR OF DAWSON, INC., THE FAXON COMPANY, INC., THE TURNER
        SUBSCRIPTION AGENCY, INCORPORATED, MCGREGOR SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE,
 INC., CORPORATE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES INC., AND DAWSON INFORMATION QUEST, INC.




                            FLEET CAPITAL CORPORATION





<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       PAGE
<S>                                                                                                   <C>

SECTION  1.  CREDIT FACILITY........................................................................     1
         1.1  REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS................................................................     1
              1.1.1  LOANS AND RESERVES.............................................................     1
              1.1.2  USE OF PROCEEDS................................................................     2

SECTION  2.  INTEREST, FEES AND CHARGES.............................................................     2
         2.1  INTEREST..............................................................................     2
              2.1.1  RATES OF INTEREST..............................................................     2
              2.1.2  DEFAULT RATE OF INTEREST.......................................................     2
              2.1.3  MAXIMUM INTEREST...............................................................     2
         2.2  COMPUTATION OF INTEREST AND FEES......................................................     2
         2.3  FACILITY FEES.........................................................................     3
         2.4  INTENTIONALLY DELETED.................................................................     3
         2.5  UNUSED LINE FEE.......................................................................     3
         2.6  INTENTIONALLY DELETED.................................................................     3
         2.7  AUDIT AND APPRAISAL FEES..............................................................     3
         2.8  REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES.............................................................     3
         2.9  BANK CHARGES..........................................................................     4

SECTION  3.  LOAN ADMINISTRATION....................................................................     4
         3.1  MANNER OF BORROWING REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS............................................     4
              3.1.1  LOAN REQUESTS..................................................................     4
              3.1.2  DISBURSEMENT...................................................................     4
              3.1.3  AUTHORIZATION..................................................................     5
              3.1.4  MAXIMUM ADVANCES...............................................................     5
         3.2  PAYMENTS..............................................................................     5
              3.2.1  PRINCIPAL......................................................................     5
              3.2.2  INTEREST.......................................................................     5
              3.2.3  COSTS, FEES AND CHARGES........................................................     6
              3.2.4  OTHER OBLIGATIONS..............................................................     6
         3.3  INTENTIONALLY DELETED.................................................................     6
         3.4  APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS AND COLLECTIONS...............................................     6
         3.5  ALL LOANS TO CONSTITUTE ONE OBLIGATION................................................     6
         3.6  LOAN ACCOUNT..........................................................................     6
         3.7  STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNT.................................................................     6
         3.8  INCREASED COSTS.......................................................................     7

SECTION  4.  TERM AND TERMINATION...................................................................     8
         4.1  TERM OF AGREEMENT.....................................................................     8
         4.2  TERMINATION...........................................................................     8
              4.2.1  TERMINATION BY LENDER..........................................................     8
              4.2.2  TERMINATION BY BORROWER........................................................     8
</TABLE>

                                        i

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                    <C>

               4.2.3  INTENTIONALLY DELETED.........................................................     8
               4.2.4  EFFECT OF TERMINATION.........................................................     8

SECTION  5.   SECURITY INTERESTS....................................................................     9
         5.1   SECURITY INTEREST IN COLLATERAL......................................................     9
         5.2   LIEN PERFECTION, FURTHER ASSURANCES..................................................    10
         5.3   REVISED ARTICLE 9....................................................................    11

SECTION  6.   COLLATERAL ADMINISTRATION.............................................................    11
         6.1   GENERAL..............................................................................    11
               6.1.1  LOCATION OF COLLATERAL........................................................    11
               6.1.2  INSURANCE OF COLLATERAL.......................................................    11
               6.1.3  PROTECTION OF COLLATERAL......................................................    11
         6.2   ADMINISTRATION OF ACCOUNTS...........................................................    12
               6.2.1  RECORDS, SCHEDULES AND ASSIGNMENTS OF ACCOUNTS................................    12
               6.2.2  DISCOUNTS, ALLOWANCES, DISPUTES...............................................    12
               6.2.3  TAXES.........................................................................    12
               6.2.4  ACCOUNT VERIFICATION..........................................................    13
               6.2.5  MAINTENANCE OF DOMINION ACCOUNT...............................................    13
               6.2.6  COLLECTION OF ACCOUNTS, PROCEEDS OF COLLATERAL................................    13
         6.3   ADMINISTRATION OF INVENTORY..........................................................    13
               6.3.1  RECORDS AND REPORTS OF INVENTORY..............................................    13
               6.3.2  RETURNS OF INVENTORY..........................................................    13
         6.4   ADMINISTRATION OF EQUIPMENT..........................................................    14
               6.4.1  RECORDS AND SCHEDULES OF EQUIPMENT............................................    14
               6.4.2  DISPOSITIONS OF EQUIPMENT.....................................................    14
         6.5   PAYMENT OF CHARGES...................................................................    14

SECTION  7.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES........................................................    14
         7.1   GENERAL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES...............................................    14
               7.1.1   ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION...............................................    14
               7.1.2   CORPORATE POWER AND AUTHORITY................................................    15
               7.1.3   LEGALLY ENFORCEABLE AGREEMENT................................................    15
               7.1.4   CAPITAL STRUCTURE............................................................    15
               7.1.5   CORPORATE NAMES..............................................................    15
               7.1.6   BUSINESS LOCATIONS; AGENT FOR PROCESS........................................    16
               7.1.7   TITLE TO PROPERTIES; PRIORITY OF LIENS.......................................    16
               7.1.8   ACCOUNTS.....................................................................    16
               7.1.9   EQUIPMENT....................................................................    17
               7.1.10  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; FISCAL YEAR............................................    17
               7.1.11  FULL DISCLOSURE..............................................................    18
               7.1.12  SOLVENT FINANCIAL CONDITION..................................................    18
               7.1.13  SURETY OBLIGATIONS...........................................................    18
               7.1.14  TAXES........................................................................    18
               7.1.15  BROKERS......................................................................    19
               7.1.16  PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, COPYRIGHTS AND LICENSES.................................    19
               7.1.17  GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS........................................................    19
</TABLE>

                                       ii

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                    <C>

               7.1.18  COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.........................................................    19
               7.1.19  RESTRICTIONS.................................................................    20
               7.1.20  LITIGATION...................................................................    20
               7.1.21  NO DEFAULTS..................................................................    20
               7.1.22  LEASES.......................................................................    20
               7.1.23  PENSION PLANS................................................................    20
               7.1.24  TRADE RELATIONS..............................................................    21
               7.1.25  LABOR RELATIONS..............................................................    21
               7.1.26  ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS........................................................    21
         7.2   CONTINUOUS NATURE OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES..................................    22
         7.3   SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES...........................................    23

SECTION  8.   COVENANTS AND CONTINUING AGREEMENTS...................................................    23
         8.1   AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS................................................................    23
               8.1.1   VISITS AND INSPECTIONS.......................................................    23
               8.1.2   NOTICES......................................................................    23
               8.1.3   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.........................................................    23
               8.1.4   LANDLORD AND STORAGE AGREEMENTS..............................................    25
               8.1.5   SHAREHOLDER FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.............................................    25
               8.1.6   DOMESTIC SUBSIDIARY GUARANTIES...............................................    25
               8.1.7   BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE...................................................    25
               8.1.8   INTENTIONALLY DELETED........................................................    25
         8.2   NEGATIVE COVENANTS...................................................................    26
               8.2.1   MERGERS; CONSOLIDATIONS; ACQUISITIONS........................................    26
               8.2.2   LOANS........................................................................    26
               8.2.3   TOTAL INDEBTEDNESS...........................................................    26
               8.2.4   AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS.......................................................    27
               8.2.5   LIMITATION ON LIENS..........................................................    27
               8.2.6   SUBORDINATED DEBT............................................................    27
               8.2.7   DISTRIBUTIONS................................................................    28
               8.2.8   CAPITAL EXPENDITURES.........................................................    28
               8.2.9   DISPOSITION OF ASSETS........................................................    28
               8.2.10  STOCK OF SUBSIDIARIES........................................................    28
               8.2.11  BILL-AND-HOLD SALES, ETC.....................................................    28
               8.2.12  RESTRICTED INVESTMENT........................................................    28
               8.2.13  LEASES.......................................................................    28
               8.2.14  TAX CONSOLIDATION............................................................    28
               8.2.15  BANK ACCOUNTS................................................................    29
               8.2.16  DISTRIBUTION.................................................................    29
               8.2.17  ACCOUNTING CHANGES...........................................................    29
               8.2.18  ORGANIZATION DOCUMENTS.......................................................    29
               8.2.19  RESTRICTIVE AGREEMENTS.......................................................    29
               8.2.20  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS..........................................................    29
         8.3   SPECIFIC BORROWER FINANCIAL COVENANTS................................................    29
               8.3.1   EBITDA.......................................................................    30
         8.4   SPECIFIC PARENT FINANCIAL COVENANTS..................................................    30
               8.4.1   EBITDA.......................................................................    30
</TABLE>

                                      iii

<PAGE>

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                                                    <C>

SECTION  9.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT...................................................................    31
         9.1  DOCUMENTATION.........................................................................    31
         9.2  NO DEFAULT............................................................................    31
         9.3  OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS..................................................................    31
         9.4  COLLATERAL EXAMINATION................................................................    31
         9.5  AVAILABILITY..........................................................................    31
         9.6  NO LITIGATION.........................................................................    31
         9.7  FEES..................................................................................    31
         9.8  UCC SEARCHES/FINANCING STATEMENTS.....................................................    31
         9.9  BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE............................................................    32
         9.10 OFFICER'S CERTIFICATES................................................................    32
         9.11 SECRETARY'S CERTIFICATES..............................................................    32
         9.12 CERTIFICATES OF LEGAL EXISTENCE AND GOOD STANDING AND FOREIGN QUALIFICATION...........    32
         9.13 LEGAL OPINIONS........................................................................    32
         9.14 PAYOFF LETTERS AND TERMINATION STATEMENTS.............................................    32
         9.15 INSURANCE.............................................................................    33
         9.16 FINANCIAL INFORMATION/CASH FLOW PROJECTIONS...........................................    33
         9.17 BLOCKED ACCOUNT ARRANGEMENTS..........................................................    33
         9.18 CASH MANAGEMENT.......................................................................    33
         9.19 REQUEST FOR ADVANCE...................................................................    33
         9.20 ACCOUNT PAYABLE OBLIGATIONS...........................................................    33
         9.21 FRENCH SUBSIDIARY PAYMENT.............................................................    33
         9.22 MISCELLANEOUS.........................................................................    33

SECTION 10.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT; RIGHTS AND REMEDIES ON DEFAULT......................................    33
         10.1  EVENTS OF DEFAULT....................................................................    33
               10.1.1   PAYMENT OF REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE............................................    34
               10.1.2   PAYMENT OF OTHER OBLIGATIONS................................................    34
               10.1.3   MISREPRESENTATIONS..........................................................    34
               10.1.4   BREACH OF SPECIFIC COVENANTS................................................    34
               10.1.5   BREACH OF OTHER COVENANTS...................................................    34
               10.1.6   DEFAULT UNDER SECURITY DOCUMENTS/OTHER AGREEMENTS...........................    34
               10.1.7   OTHER DEFAULTS..............................................................    34
               10.1.8   UNINSURED LOSSES............................................................    35
               10.1.9   ADVERSE CHANGES OR EFFECT...................................................    35
               10.1.10  INSOLVENCY AND RELATED PROCEEDING...........................................    35
               10.1.11  BUSINESS DISRUPTION; CONDEMNATION...........................................    35
               10.1.12  CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP.........................................................    35
               10.1.13  ERISA 35
               10.1.14  CHALLENGE TO AGREEMENT......................................................    36
               10.1.15  REPUDIATION OF OR DEFAULT UNDER GUARANTY AGREEMENT..........................    36
               10.1.16  CRIMINAL FORFEITURE.........................................................    36
               10.1.17  JUDGMENTS...................................................................    36
         10.2  ACCELERATION OF THE OBLIGATIONS......................................................    36
         10.3  OTHER REMEDIES.......................................................................    36
</TABLE>

                                       iv

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                    <C>

               10.3.1  CUMULATIVE RIGHTS............................................................    37
               10.3.2  POSSESSION OF COLLATERAL.....................................................    37
               10.3.3  SELLER DISPOSES OF COLLATERAL................................................    37
               10.3.4  LICENSES.....................................................................    37
               10.3.5  SECURITY INTEREST IN DEPOSITS................................................    38
         10.4  REMEDIES CUMULATIVE, NO WAIVER.......................................................    38

SECTION 11.   MISCELLANEOUS.........................................................................    38
         11.1  POWER OF ATTORNEY....................................................................    38
               11.1.1  ENDORSEMENTS.................................................................    39
               11.1.2  OTHER ACTIONS................................................................    39
         11.2  INDEMNITY............................................................................    39
         11.3  MODIFICATION OF AGREEMENT, SALE OF INTEREST..........................................    40
         11.4  SEVERABILITY.........................................................................    40
         11.5  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS...............................................................    40
         11.6  CUMULATIVE EFFECT, CONFLICT OF TERMS.................................................    40
         11.7  EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS............................................................    41
         11.8  NOTICE...............................................................................    41
         11.9  LENDER'S CONSENT.....................................................................    42
         11.10 CREDIT INQUIRIES.....................................................................    42
         11.11 TIME OF ESSENCE......................................................................    42
         11.12 ENTIRE AGREEMENT.....................................................................    42
         11.13 INTERPRETATION.......................................................................    42
         11.14 JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY..........................................................    42
         11.15 SURETY WAIVERS AND CONSENTS..........................................................    43
         11.16 WAIVERS OF EVENTS OF DEFAULT.........................................................    45
         11.17 GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO FORUM......................................................    45
         11.18 WAIVERS BY BORROWER..................................................................    46
</TABLE>

                                       v

<PAGE>


                           LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

         THIS LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT is made this 31st day of January,
2001, among FLEET CAPITAL CORPORATION ("Lender"), a Rhode Island corporation
with an office at One Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, as lender,
DAWSON, INC. ("Dawson"), a Delaware corporation with its chief executive office
and principal place of business at 15 Southwest Park, Westwood, Massachusetts
02090, together with THE FAXON COMPANY, INC. ("Faxon"), a Massachusetts
corporation with its chief executive office and principal place of business at
15 Southwest Park, Westwood, Massachusetts 02090, THE TURNER SUBSCRIPTION
AGENCY, INCORPORATED ("Turner"), a Delaware corporation with its chief executive
office and principal place of business at 1001 West Pines Road, Oregon, Illinois
61061; MCGREGOR SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE, INC. ("McGregor"), a Illinois corporation
with its chief executive office and principal place of business at 1001 West
Pines Road, Oregon, Illinois 61061, CORPORATE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES INC. ("CSS")
a New Jersey corporation with its chief executive office and principal place of
business at 85 Chestnut Ridge Road, Montvale, New Jersey 07645; DAWSON
INFORMATION QUEST, INC. ("IQD"), a California corporation with its chief
executive office and principal place of business at 5838 Edison Place, Carlsbad,
California 92008, (Dawson, Faxon, Turner, McGregor, CSS, and IQD collectively
and individually, the "Borrower"), as borrowers and ROWECOM INC. ("Parent"), a
Delaware corporation with its chief executive office and principal place of
business at 60 Aberdeen Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, as guarantor.
Capitalized terms used in this Agreement have the meanings assigned to them in
Appendix A, General Definitions. Accounting terms not otherwise specifically
defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.

SECTION 1.        CREDIT FACILITY

         Subject to the terms and conditions of, and in reliance upon the
representations and warranties made in, this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, Lender agrees to make a Total Credit Facility of up to $25,000,000
available upon Borrower's request therefore, as follows:

         1.1 Revolving Credit Loans.

             1.1.1 LOANS AND RESERVES. Lender agrees, for so long as no Default
or Event of Default exists, to make Revolving Credit Loans to each Borrower from
time to time, as requested by each Borrower in the manner set forth in
subsection 3.1.1 hereof, up to a maximum principal amount at any time
outstanding equal to the lesser of (i) the Individual Formula Amount for such
Borrower at such time or (ii) the Total Credit Facility minus the aggregate
outstanding Revolving Credit Loans to all Borrowers at such time; provided,
however that after the initial advance hereunder, Lender shall have no
obligation to make any Revolving Credit Loan where Borrower's Availability
(after giving effect to the making of such Revolving Credit Loan) shall be less
than $2,500,000. The Indebtedness of each Borrower arising as a result of the
Revolving Credit Loans shall be evidenced by a secured promissory note in the
form of EXHIBIT A hereto (the "Revolving Credit Note"). Lender shall have the
right to establish new or modify existing advance rates, establish reserves in
such amounts, and with respect to such matters, as Lender shall deem necessary
or appropriate, against the amount of Revolving Credit Loans which each


<PAGE>

Borrower may otherwise request under this subsection 1.1.1, including, without
limitation, with respect to (i) price adjustments, damages, unearned discounts,
returned products or other matters for which credit memoranda are issued in the
ordinary course of Borrower's business; (iii) other sums chargeable against each
Borrower's Loan Account as Revolving Credit Loans under any section of this
Agreement; (iv) amounts owing by Borrower to any Person to the extent secured by
a Lien on, or trust over, any Property of Borrower; (v) subscriptions for
products that have not been mailed or otherwise delivered; and (vi) such other
matters, events, conditions or contingencies as to which Lender, in its sole
credit judgment, determines reserves should be established from time to time
hereunder.

             1.1.2 USE OF PROCEEDS. The Revolving Credit Loans shall be used
solely for Borrower's seasonal working capital needs in a manner consistent with
the provisions of this Agreement and all applicable laws.

SECTION 2.        INTEREST, FEES AND CHARGES

         2.1 INTEREST.

             2.1.1 RATES OF INTEREST. Interest shall accrue on the principal
amount of the Revolving Credit Loans outstanding at the end of each day at a
fluctuating rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) plus the Base Rate. The
rate of interest applicable to Revolving Credit Loans shall increase or decrease
by an amount equal to any increase or decrease in the Base Rate, effective as of
the opening of business on the day that any such change in the Base Rate occurs.

             2.1.2 DEFAULT RATE OF INTEREST. Upon and after the occurrence of an
Event of Default, and during the continuation thereof, the principal amount of
all Loans shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to three percent (3%)
above the interest rate otherwise applicable thereto (the "Default Rate").

             2.1.3 MAXIMUM INTEREST. In no event whatsoever shall the aggregate
of all amounts deemed interest hereunder or under the Revolving Credit Note and
charged or collected pursuant to the terms of this Agreement exceed the highest
rate permissible under any law which a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in
a final determination, deem applicable hereto. If any provisions of this
Agreement or the Revolving Credit Note are in contravention of any such law,
such provisions shall be deemed amended to conform thereto.

         2.2 COMPUTATION OF INTEREST AND FEES. Interest, unused line fees and
collection charges hereunder shall be calculated daily and shall be computed on
the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days. For the purpose of
computing interest hereunder, all items of payment received by Lender shall be
deemed applied by Lender on account of the Obligations (subject to final payment
of such items) on the first Business Day after receipt by Lender of such items
in Lender's account located in Boston, Massachusetts.

         2.3 FACILITY FEES. Borrower shall pay to Lender facility fees of (i)
$750,000 on the Closing Date ($500,000 of which has been paid prior to the
Closing Date), which shall be fully earned and nonrefundable on the Closing Date
and shall be paid concurrently with the initial Loan hereunder and (ii) $250,000
which shall be fully earned on the Closing Date and paid on

                                       2
<PAGE>

the earlier to occur of (a) May 31, 2001 and (b) termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 4 hereof or otherwise.

         2.4 INTENTIONALLY DELETED.

         2.5 UNUSED LINE FEE. Borrower shall pay to Lender a fee equal to
one-half of one percent (.50%) per annum of the average monthly amount by which
the Total Credit Facility exceeds the sum of the outstanding principal balance
of the Revolving Credit Loans. The unused line fee shall be payable monthly in
arrears on the first Business Day of each month hereafter.

         2.6 INTENTIONALLY DELETED.

         2.7 AUDIT AND APPRAISAL FEES. Borrower shall pay to Lender audit and
appraisal fees in accordance with Lender's current schedule of fees in effect
from time to time in connection with audits and appraisals of Borrower's books
and records and such other matters as Lender shall deem appropriate, plus all
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Lender in connection with such audits and
appraisals. Audit fees shall be payable on issuance of an invoice by Lender and
shall be immediately debited from Borrower's account by Lender.

         2.8 REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES. If, at any time or times regardless of
whether or not an Event of Default then exists, Lender or any Participating
Lender incurs legal or accounting expenses or any other costs or out-of-pocket
expenses in connection with (i) the negotiation and preparation of this
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, any amendment of or modification
of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents; (ii) the administration of
this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby; (iii) any litigation, contest, dispute, suit,
proceeding or action (whether instituted by Lender, Borrower or any other
Person) in any way relating to the Collateral, this Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents or Borrower's affairs; (iv) any attempt to enforce any
rights of Lender or any Participating Lender against Borrower or any other
Person which may be obligated to Lender by virtue of this Agreement or any of
the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, the Account Debtors; or
(v) any attempt to inspect, verify, protect, preserve, restore, collect, sell,
liquidate or otherwise dispose of or realize upon the Collateral; then all such
legal and accounting expenses, other costs and out of pocket expenses of Lender
shall be charged to Borrower. All amounts chargeable to Borrower under this
Section 2.8 shall be Obligations secured by a lien on all of the Collateral,
shall be payable on demand to Lender or to such Participating Lender, as the
case may be, and shall bear interest from the date such demand is made until
paid in full at the rate applicable to Revolving Credit Loans from time to time.
Borrower shall also reimburse Lender for expenses incurred by Lender in its
administration of the Collateral to the extent and in the manner provided in
Section 6 hereof.

         2.9 BANK CHARGES. Borrower shall pay to Lender, on demand, any and all
fees, costs or expenses which Lender or any Participating Lender pays to a bank
or other similar institution (including, without limitation, any fees paid by
Lender to any Participating Lender) arising out of or in connection with (i) the
forwarding to Borrower or any other Person on behalf of Borrower, by Lender or
any Participating Lender, of proceeds of loans made by Lender to Borrower
pursuant to this Agreement and (ii) the depositing for collection, by Lender or
any Participating


                                       3
<PAGE>

Lender, of any check or item of payment received or delivered to Lender or any
Participating Lender on account of the Obligations.

SECTION 3.        LOAN ADMINISTRATION.

         3.1 MANNER OF BORROWING REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS. Borrowings under the
credit facility established pursuant to Section 1 hereof shall be as follows:

             3.1.1 LOAN REQUESTS. A request for a Revolving Credit Loan shall be
made, or shall be deemed to be made, in the following manner: (i) each Borrower
may give Lender notice of its intention to borrow, in which notice such Borrower
shall specify the amount of the proposed borrowing and the proposed borrowing
date, no later than 1:00 p.m. Boston time one Business Day before the proposed
borrowing date, provided, however, that no such request may be made at a time
when there exists a Default or an Event of Default; and (ii) at which time any
amount required to be paid under this Agreement or the Revolving Credit Note,
whether as interest or for any other Obligation, it shall be deemed irrevocably
to be a request from Borrower for a Revolving Credit Loan on the due date in the
amount required to pay such interest or other Obligation. As an accommodation to
Borrower, Lender may permit telephonic or electronic requests for loans and
electronic transmittal of instructions, authorizations, agreements or reports to
Lender by Borrower. Lender shall have no liability to Borrower for any loss or
damage suffered by Borrower as a result of Lender's honoring of any requests,
execution of any instructions, authorizations or agreements or reliance on any
reports communicated to it telephonically or electronically and purporting to
have been sent to Lender by Borrower and Lender shall have no duty to verify the
origin of any such communication or the authority of the Person sending it.

             3.1.2 DISBURSEMENT. Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes Lender
to disburse the proceeds of each Revolving Credit Loan requested, or deemed to
be requested, pursuant to this subsection 3.1.2 as follows: (i) the proceeds of
each Revolving Credit Loan requested under subsection 3.1.1(i) shall be
disbursed by Lender in lawful money of the United States of America in
immediately available funds, in the case of the initial borrowing, in accordance
with the terms of the written disbursement letter from Borrower, and in the case
of each subsequent borrowing, by wire transfer to such bank account as may be
agreed upon by Borrower and Lender from time to time or elsewhere if pursuant to
a written direction from Borrower; and (ii) the proceeds of each Revolving
Credit Loan requested under subsection 3.1.1(ii) shall be disbursed by Lender by
way of direct payment of the relevant interest or other Obligation.

             3.1.3 AUTHORIZATION. Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes Lender,
in Lender's sole discretion, to advance to Borrower, and to charge to Borrower's
Loan Account hereunder as a Revolving Credit Loan, a sum sufficient to pay all
interest accrued on the Obligations during the immediately preceding month and
to pay all costs, fees and expenses at any time owed by Borrower to Lender
hereunder.

                                       4
<PAGE>

             3.1.4 MAXIMUM ADVANCES.

                  (i) The aggregate balance of Revolving Credit Loans
         outstanding at any time shall not exceed the lesser of (a) Total Credit
         Facility or (b) the Formula Amount.

                  (ii) The aggregate balance of Revolving Credit Loans
         outstanding at any time to any individual Borrower shall not exceed the
         lesser of (a) Total Credit Facility or (b) such Borrower's Individual
         Formula Amount.

         3.2 PAYMENTS. The Obligations shall be payable as follows:

             3.2.1 PRINCIPAL. Principal payable on account of Revolving Credit
Loans shall be payable by Borrower to Lender immediately upon the earliest of
(i) the receipt by Lender or Borrower of any proceeds of any of the Collateral,
to the extent of said proceeds, (ii) the occurrence of an Event of Default which
results in acceleration of the maturity and payment of the Obligations, or (iii)
termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 4 hereof or otherwise;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER; that if an Overadvance shall exist at any time, Borrower
shall immediately repay the Overadvance.

             3.2.2 INTEREST. Interest accrued on the Revolving Credit Loans
shall be due on the earliest of (i) the first calendar day of each month (for
the immediately preceding month), computed through the last calendar day of the
preceding month, (ii) the occurrence of an Event of Default which results in
acceleration of the maturity and payment of the Obligations or (iii) termination
of this Agreement pursuant to Section 4 hereof or otherwise.

             3.2.3 COSTS, FEES AND CHARGES. Costs, fees and charges payable
pursuant to this Agreement shall be payable by Borrower as and when provided in
this Agreement (or upon demand), to Lender or to any other Person designated by
Lender.

             3.2.4 OTHER OBLIGATIONS. The balance of the Obligations requiring
the payment of money, if any, shall be payable by Borrower to Lender as and when
provided in this Agreement, the Other Agreements or the Security Documents, or
on demand, whichever is earlier.

         3.3 INTENTIONALLY DELETED.

         3.4 APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS AND COLLECTIONS. All items of payment
received by Lender by 12:00 noon, Boston time, on any Business Day shall be
deemed received on that Business Day. All items of payment received after 12:00
noon, Boston time, on any Business Day shall be deemed received on the following
Business Day. Borrower irrevocably waives the right to direct the application of
any and all payments and collections at any time or times hereafter received by
Lender from or on behalf of Borrower, and Borrower does hereby irrevocably agree
that Lender shall have the continuing exclusive right to apply and reapply any
and all such payments and collections received at any time or times hereafter by
Lender or its agent against the Obligations, in such manner as Lender may deem
advisable, notwithstanding any entry by Lender upon any of its books and
records. If as the result of collections of Accounts as authorized by subsection
6.2.6 hereof a credit balance exists in the Loan Account, such credit


                                       5
<PAGE>

balance shall not accrue interest in favor of Borrower, but shall be available
to Borrower at any time or times for so long as no Default or Event of Default
exists.

         3.5 ALL LOANS TO CONSTITUTE ONE OBLIGATION. The Loans shall constitute
one general Obligation of Borrower, and shall be secured by Lender's Lien upon
all of the Collateral.

         3.6 LOAN ACCOUNT. Lender shall enter all Loans as debits to the Loan
Account and shall also record in the Loan Account all payments made by Borrower
on any Obligations and all proceeds of Collateral which are finally paid to
Lender, and may record therein, in accordance with customary accounting
practice, other debits and credits, including interest and all charges and
expenses chargeable to Borrower.

         3.7 STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNT. Lender will account to Borrower periodically
with a statement of Loans, charges and payments made pursuant to this Agreement,
and such account rendered by Lender shall be deemed final, binding and
conclusive upon Borrower unless Lender is notified by Borrower in writing to the
contrary within 30 days of the date each accounting is mailed to Borrower. Such
notice shall only be deemed an objection to those items specifically objected to
therein.

         3.8 INCREASED COSTS. If any law or any governmental or
quasi-governmental rule, regulation, policy, guideline or directive (whether or
not having the force of law) adopted after the date of this Agreement and having
general applicability to all banks within the jurisdiction in which Lender
operates, or any interpretation or application thereof by any governmental
authority charged with the interpretation or application thereof, or the
compliance of Lender therewith, shall:

                  (i) (1) subject Lender to any tax with respect to this
         Agreement (other than (a) any tax based on or measured by net income or
         otherwise in the nature of a net income tax, including, without
         limitation, any franchise tax or any similar tax based on capital, net
         worth or comparable basis for measurement and (b) any tax collected by
         a withholding on payments and which neither is computed by reference to
         the net income of the payee nor is in the nature of an advance
         collection of a tax based on or measured by the net income of the
         payee) or (2) change the basis of taxation of payments to Lender of
         principal, fees, interest or any other amount payable hereunder or
         under any Loan Documents (other than in respect of (a) any tax based on
         or measured by net income or otherwise in the nature of a net income
         tax, including, without limitation, any franchise tax or any similar
         tax based on capital, net worth or comparable basis for measurement and
         (b) any tax collected by a withholding on payments and which neither is
         computed by reference to the net income of the payee nor is in the
         nature of an advance collection of a tax based on or measured by the
         net income of the payee);

                  (ii) impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special
         deposit, assessment or similar requirement against assets held by, or
         deposits in or for the account of, advances or loans by, or other
         credit extended by, any office of Lender, including (without
         limitation) pursuant to Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the
         Federal Reserve System; or

                                       6
<PAGE>

                  (iii) impose on Lender any other condition with respect to any
         Loan Document;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to Lender of
making, renewing or maintaining Loans hereunder by an amount that Lender deems
to be material or to reduce the amount of any payment (whether of principal,
interest or otherwise) in respect of any of the Loans by an amount that Lender
deems to be material, then, in any such case, Borrower shall pay Lender, upon
demand following its receipt of notice of the imposition of such increased
costs, such additional amount as will compensate Lender for such additional cost
or such reduction, as the case may be, to the extent Lender has not otherwise
been compensated, with respect to a particular Loan. An officer of Lender shall
determine the amount of such additional cost or reduced amount using reasonable
averaging and attribution methods and shall certify the amount of such
additional cost or reduced amount to Borrower, which certification shall include
a written explanation of such additional cost or reduction to Borrower. Such
certification shall be conclusive absent manifest error. If Lender claims any
additional cost or reduced amount pursuant to this Section 3.8, then Lender
shall use reasonable efforts (consistent with legal and regulatory restrictions)
to designate a different lending office or to file any certificate or document
reasonably requested by Borrower if the making of such designation or filing
would avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, any such additional cost or
reduced amount and would not, in the sole discretion of Lender, be otherwise
disadvantageous to Lender.

SECTION 4.        TERM AND TERMINATION

         4.1 TERM OF AGREEMENT. Subject to Lender's right to cease making Loans
to Borrower upon or after the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default or
as otherwise provided under this Agreement, this Agreement shall be in effect
from the date hereof, through and including May 31, 2001 (the "Maturity Date").

         4.2 Termination.

             4.2.1 TERMINATION BY LENDER. Lender may terminate this Agreement
without notice upon or after the occurrence of an Event of Default.

             4.2.2 TERMINATION BY BORROWER. Upon at least 90 days prior written
notice to Lender, Borrower may, at its option, terminate this Agreement;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, no such termination shall be effective until Borrower has
paid all of the Obligations in full in immediately available funds. Any notice
of termination given by Borrower shall be irrevocable unless Lender otherwise
agrees in writing, and Lender shall have no obligation to make any Loans on or
after the termination date stated in such notice. Borrower may elect to
terminate this Agreement in its entirety only. No section of this Agreement or
type of Loan available hereunder may be terminated singly.

             4.2.3 Intentionally Deleted.

             4.2.4 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. All of the Obligations shall be
immediately due and payable upon the Maturity Date, the termination date stated
in any notice of termination of this Agreement or upon Termination pursuant to
4.2.1 hereof. All undertakings, agreements, covenants, warranties and
representations of Borrower contained in the Loan Documents shall


                                       7
<PAGE>

survive any such termination and Lender shall retain its Liens in the Collateral
and all of its rights and remedies under the Loan Documents notwithstanding such
termination until Borrower has paid the Obligations to Lender, in full, in
immediately available funds, together with any facility fee that may be due
pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof. Notwithstanding the payment in full of the
Obligations, Lender shall not be required to terminate its Liens in the
Collateral unless, with respect to any loss or damage Lender may incur as a
result of dishonored checks or other items of payment received by Lender from
Borrower or any Account Debtor and applied to the Obligations, Lender shall, at
its option, (i) have received a written agreement, executed by Borrower and by
any Person whose loans or other advances to Borrower are used in whole or in
part to satisfy the Obligations, indemnifying Lender from any such loss or
damage; or (ii) have retained such monetary reserves and Liens on the Collateral
for such period of time as Lender, in its sole discretion, may deem necessary to
protect Lender from any such loss or damage.

SECTION 5.        SECURITY INTERESTS

         5.1 SECURITY INTEREST IN COLLATERAL. To secure the prompt payment and
performance to Lender of the Obligations, each Borrower hereby grants to Lender
a continuing Lien upon all of Borrower's assets, including all of the following
Property and interests in Property of Borrower, whether now owned or existing or
hereafter created, acquired or arising and wheresoever located:

                  (i) Accounts;

                  (ii) Inventory;

                  (iii) Equipment;

                  (iv) General Intangibles;

                  (v) Investment Property;

                  (vi) Chattel Paper, Documents and Instruments;

                  (vii) Letter-of-Credit Rights;

                  (viii) Payment Intangibles;

                  (ix) Supporting Obligations;

                  (x) Subsidiary stock;

                  (xi) All monies (including deposit accounts) and other
         Property of any kind now or at any time or times hereafter in the
         possession or under the control of Lender or a bailee or Affiliate of
         Lender;

                  (xii) All accessions to, substitutions for and all
         replacements, products and cash and non-cash proceeds of (i) through
         (xi) above, including, without limitation,


                                       8
<PAGE>

         proceeds of and unearned premiums with respect to insurance policies
         insuring any of the Collateral;

                  (xiii) all of Borrower's right, title and interest in and to
         (a) its respective goods and other property including, but not limited
         to, all merchandise returned or rejected by customers, relating to or
         securing any of the Accounts; (b) all of Borrower's rights as a
         consignor, a consignee, an unpaid vendor, mechanic, artisan, or other
         lien or, including stoppage in transit, setoff, detinue, replevin,
         reclamation and repurchase; (c) all additional amounts due to Borrower
         from any customer relating to the Receivables; (d) other property,
         including warranty claims, relating to any goods securing this
         Agreement; (e) to the extent Borrower are not expressly prohibited by
         the terms of the following to grant a security interest in such rights,
         all of Borrower's contract rights, rights of payment which have been
         earned under a contract right, instruments, documents, chattel paper,
         warehouse receipts, deposit accounts, money, securities and investment
         property; (f) if and when obtained by Borrower, all real and personal
         property of third parties in which Borrower has been granted a lien or
         security interest as security for the payment or enforcement of
         Accounts; and (g) any other goods, personal property or real property
         now owned or hereafter acquired in which Borrower has expressly granted
         a security interest or may in the future grant a security interest to
         Lender hereunder, or in any amendment or supplement hereto or thereto,
         or under any other agreement between Lender and Borrower;

                  (xiv) all of Borrower's ledger sheets, ledger cards, files,
         correspondence, records, books of account, business papers, computers,
         computer software (owned by Borrower or in which either has an
         interest), computer programs, tapes, disks and documents relating to
         any of the assets or property described in this definition;

                  (xv) all of the collateral referred to in the Loan Documents
         and all other property and assets that is intended to be subject to any
         Lien in favor of the Lender for the benefit of the Lender; and

                  (xvi) all proceeds and products of any of the assets or
         property described in this definition in whatever form, including, but
         not limited to: cash, deposit accounts (whether or not comprised solely
         of proceeds), certificates of deposit, insurance proceeds (including
         hazard, flood and credit insurance), negotiable instruments, investment
         property and other instruments for the payment of money, chattel paper,
         security agreements, documents, eminent domain proceeds, condemnation
         proceeds and tort claim proceeds.

         5.2 LIEN PERFECTION, FURTHER ASSURANCES. Borrower shall execute such
UCC-1 financing statements as are required by the Code and such other
instruments, assignments or documents as are necessary to perfect Lender's Lien
upon any of the Collateral and shall take such other action as may be required
to perfect or to continue the perfection of Lender's Lien upon the Collateral.
Unless prohibited by applicable law, Borrower hereby authorizes Lender to
execute and file any such financing statement or other instrument on Borrower's
behalf. The parties agree that a photographic or other reproduction of this
Agreement shall be sufficient as a financing statement and may be filed in any
appropriate office in lieu thereof. At Lender's


                                       9
<PAGE>

request, Borrower shall also promptly execute or cause to be executed and shall
deliver to Lender any and all documents, instruments and agreements deemed
necessary by Lender to give effect to or carry out the terms or intent of the
Loan Documents. At Lender's request, Borrower shall execute all documents,
mortgages or other instruments as Lender may request to secure and perfect a
lien in favor of the Lender on all real property owned by each Borrower and
shall provide title insurance, surveys and other information and documents as
its Lender may request in connection therewith.

         5.3 REVISED ARTICLE 9. It is intended that, with respect to any term
used herein to describe Collateral, which term is defined in either (or both)
the Code as in effect on the date when this Agreement was executed by the
Borrowers or in Revised Article 9, the meaning given that term shall be the more
encompassing of the two definitions.

SECTION 6.        COLLATERAL ADMINISTRATION

         6.1 General.

             6.1.1 LOCATION OF COLLATERAL. All Collateral, other than Inventory
in transit and motor vehicles, will at all times be kept by Borrower and its
Subsidiaries at one or more of the business locations set forth in Schedule
6.1.1 hereto and shall not, without the prior written approval of Lender, be
moved therefrom except, for (i) sales of Inventory in the ordinary course of
business; and (ii) removals in connection with dispositions of Equipment that
are authorized by subsection 6.4.2 hereof.

             6.1.2 INSURANCE OF COLLATERAL. Borrower shall maintain and pay for
insurance upon all Collateral wherever located and with respect to Borrower's
business, covering casualty, hazard, public liability and such other risks in
such amounts and with such insurance companies as are satisfactory to Lender.
(Based on information delivered to the Lender from the Borrower on or prior to
the Closing Date, the Borrower has satisfactory insurance as of the Closing
Date.) Borrower shall deliver the originals of such policies to Lender with
satisfactory lender's loss payable endorsements, naming Lender as sole loss
payee, assignee and/or additional insured, as appropriate. Each policy of
insurance or endorsement shall contain a clause requiring the insurer to give
not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice to Lender in the event of
cancellation of the policy for any reason whatsoever and a clause specifying
that the interest of Lender shall not be impaired or invalidated by any act or
neglect of Borrower or the owner of the Property or by the occupation of the
premises for purposes more hazardous than are permitted by said policy. If
Borrower fails to provide and pay for such insurance, Lender may, at its option,
but shall not be required to, procure the same and charge Borrower therefore.
Borrower agrees to deliver to Lender, promptly as rendered, true copies of all
reports made in any reporting forms to insurance companies.

             6.1.3 PROTECTION OF COLLATERAL. All expenses of protecting,
storing, warehousing, insuring, handling, maintaining and shipping the
Collateral, any and all excise, property, sales, and use taxes imposed by any
state, federal, or local authority on any of the Collateral or in respect of the
sale thereof shall be borne and paid by Borrower. If Borrower fails to promptly
pay any portion thereof when due, Lender may, at its option, but shall not be
required to, pay the same and charge Borrower therefore. Lender shall not be
liable or responsible in any way for the


                                       10
<PAGE>

safekeeping of any of the Collateral or for any loss or damage thereto or for
any diminution in the value thereof, or for any act or default of any
warehouseman, carrier, forwarding agency, or other Person whomsoever, but the
same shall be at Borrower's sole risk.

         6.2 Administration of Accounts.

             6.2.1 RECORDS, SCHEDULES AND ASSIGNMENTS OF ACCOUNTS. Borrower
shall keep accurate and complete records of its Accounts and all payments and
collections thereon and shall submit to Lender on such periodic basis as Lender
shall request a sales and collections report for the preceding period, in form
satisfactory to Lender. On or before the fifteenth day of each month from and
after the date hereof, Borrower shall deliver to Lender, in form acceptable to
Lender, a detailed aged trial balance of all Accounts existing as of the last
day of the preceding month, specifying the names, addresses, face value, dates
of invoices and due dates for each Account Debtor obligated on an Account so
listed ("Schedule of Accounts"), and, upon Lender's request therefore, copies of
proof of delivery and the original copy of all documents, including, without
limitation, repayment histories and present status reports relating to the
Accounts so scheduled and such other matters and information relating to the
status of then existing Accounts as Lender shall reasonably request. In
addition, if Accounts become ineligible because they fall within one of the
specified categories of ineligibility set forth in the definition of Eligible
Accounts or otherwise established by Lender, Borrower shall notify Lender of
such occurrence on the first Business Day following such occurrence and the
Borrowing Base shall thereupon be adjusted to reflect such occurrence. If
requested by Lender, Borrower shall execute and deliver to Lender formal written
assignments of all of its Accounts weekly or daily, which shall include all
Accounts that have been created since the date of the last assignment, together
with copies of invoices or invoice registers related thereto.

             6.2.2 DISCOUNTS, ALLOWANCES, DISPUTES. If Borrower grants any
rebates, discounts, allowances or credits that are not shown on the face of the
invoice for the Account involved, Borrower shall report such rebates, discounts,
allowances or credits, as the case may be, to Lender as part of the next
required Schedule of Accounts Borrowing Base Certificate. If any amounts due and
owing are in dispute between Borrower and any Account Debtor, Borrower shall
provide Lender with written notice thereof at the time of submission of the next
Schedule of Accounts, explaining in detail the reason for the dispute, all
claims related thereto and the amount in controversy. Upon and after the
occurrence of an Event of Default, Lender shall have the right to settle or
adjust all disputes and claims directly with the Account Debtor and to
compromise the amount or extend the time for payment of the Accounts upon such
terms and conditions as Lender may deem advisable, and to charge the
deficiencies, costs and expenses thereof, including attorney's fees, to
Borrower.

             6.2.3 TAXES. If an Account includes a charge for any tax payable to
any governmental taxing authority, Lender is authorized, in its sole discretion,
to pay the amount thereof to the proper taxing authority for the account of
Borrower and to charge Borrower therefore, provided, however that Lender shall
not be liable for any taxes to any governmental taxing authority that may be due
by Borrower.

             6.2.4 ACCOUNT VERIFICATION. Whether or not a Default or an Event of
Default has occurred, any of Lender's officers, employees or agents shall have
the right, at any time or times


                                       11
<PAGE>

hereafter, in the name of Lender, any designee of Lender or Borrower, to verify
the validity, amount or any other matter relating to any Accounts by mail,
telephone, electronic communication or otherwise. Borrower shall cooperate fully
with Lender in an effort to facilitate and promptly conclude any such
verification process.

             6.2.5 MAINTENANCE OF DOMINION ACCOUNT. Borrower shall maintain a
Dominion Account pursuant to a lockbox arrangement acceptable to Lender with
such banks as may be selected by Borrower and be acceptable to Lender. Borrower
shall issue to any such banks an irrevocable letter of instruction directing
such banks to deposit all payments or other remittances received in the lockbox
to the Dominion Account for application on account of the Obligations. All funds
deposited in the Dominion Account shall immediately become the property of
Lender and Borrower shall obtain the agreement by such banks in favor of Lender
to waive any offset rights against the funds so deposited. Lender assumes no
responsibility for such lockbox arrangement, including, without limitation, any
claim of accord and satisfaction or release with respect to deposits accepted by
any bank thereunder.

             6.2.6 COLLECTION OF ACCOUNTS, PROCEEDS OF COLLATERAL. To expedite
collection, Borrower shall endeavor in the first instance to make collection of
its Accounts for Lender. All remittances received by Borrower on account of
Accounts, together with the proceeds of any other Collateral, shall be held as
Lender's property by Borrower as trustee of an express trust for Lender's
benefit and Borrower shall immediately deposit same in kind in the Dominion
Account. Lender retains the right at all times after the occurrence of a Default
or an Event of Default to notify Account Debtors that Accounts have been
assigned to Lender and to collect Accounts directly in its own name and to
charge the collection costs and expenses, including attorneys' fees to Borrower.

         6.3 ADMINISTRATION OF INVENTORY.

             6.3.1 RECORDS AND REPORTS OF INVENTORY. Borrower shall keep
accurate and complete records of its Inventory. Borrower shall to furnish Lender
Inventory reports in form and detail satisfactory to Lender at such times as
Lender may request, but at least once each month, not later than the twentieth
day of such month. At Lender's request, Borrower shall conduct a physical
inventory and shall provide to Lender a report based on each such physical
inventory promptly thereafter, together with such supporting information as
Lender shall request.

             6.3.2 RETURNS OF INVENTORY. If at any time or times hereafter any
Account Debtor returns any Inventory to Borrower the shipment of which generated
an Account on which such Account Debtor is obligated in excess of $50,000,
Borrower shall immediately notify Lender of the same, specifying the reason for
such return and the location, condition and intended disposition of the returned
Inventory.

         6.4 ADMINISTRATION OF EQUIPMENT.

             6.4.1 RECORDS AND SCHEDULES OF EQUIPMENT. Borrower shall keep
accurate records itemizing and describing the kind, type, quality, quantity and
value of its Equipment and all dispositions made in accordance with subsection
6.4.2 hereof, and shall furnish Lender with a current schedule containing the
foregoing information on at least an annual basis and more often


                                       12
<PAGE>

if requested by Lender. Immediately on request therefore by Lender, Borrower
shall deliver to Lender any and all evidence of ownership, if any, of any of the
Equipment.

             6.4.2 DISPOSITIONS OF EQUIPMENT. Borrower will not sell, lease or
otherwise dispose of or transfer any of the Equipment or any part thereof
without the prior written consent of Lender; provided, however, that the
foregoing restriction shall not apply, for so long as no Default or Event of
Default exists, to (i) dispositions of Equipment which, in the aggregate during
any consecutive twelve-month period, has a fair market value or book value,
whichever is less, of $50,000 or less, provided that all proceeds thereof are
remitted to Lender for application to the Loans, or (ii) replacements of
Equipment that is substantially worn, damaged or obsolete with Equipment of like
kind, function and value, provided that the replacement Equipment shall be
acquired prior to or concurrently with any disposition of the Equipment that is
to be replaced, the replacement Equipment shall be free and clear of Liens other
than Permitted Liens that are not Purchase Money Liens, and Borrower shall have
given Lender at least 5 days prior written notice of such disposition.

         6.5 PAYMENT OF CHARGES. All amounts chargeable to Borrower under
Section 6 hereof shall be Obligations secured by all of the Collateral, shall be
payable on demand and shall bear interest from the date such advance was made
until paid in full at the rate applicable to Revolving Credit Loans from time to
time.

SECTION 7.        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         7.1 GENERAL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. To induce Lender to enter
into this Agreement and to make advances hereunder, Borrower and Parent warrant,
represent and covenant to Lender that:

             7.1.1 ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. Each of Parent, Borrower and
their Subsidiaries is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation. Each of
Parent, Borrower and their domestic Subsidiaries is duly qualified and is
authorized to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in
each state or jurisdiction listed on SCHEDULE 7.1.1 hereto and in all other
states and jurisdictions where the character of its Properties or the nature of
its activities make such qualification necessary.

             7.1.2 CORPORATE POWER AND AUTHORITY. Each of Parent, Borrower and
their Subsidiaries is duly authorized and empowered to enter into, execute,
deliver and perform this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents to which
it is a party. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and
each of the other Loan Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action and do not and will not (i) require any consent or approval of
the shareholders of Parent, Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries; (ii)
contravene Parent's, Borrower's or any of their Subsidiaries' charter, articles
or certificate of incorporation or by-laws; (iii) violate, or cause Parent,
Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries to be in default under, any provision of
any law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree,
determination or award in effect having applicability to Parent, Borrower or any
of their Subsidiaries; (iv) result in a breach of or constitute a default under
any indenture or loan or credit agreement or any other agreement, lease or
instrument to which Parent, Borrower or any of their


                                       13
<PAGE>

Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or its Properties may be bound or
affected; or (v) result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien
(other than Permitted Liens) upon or with respect to any of the Properties now
owned or hereafter acquired by Parent, Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries.

             7.1.3 LEGALLY ENFORCEABLE AGREEMENT. This Agreement is, and each of
the other Loan Documents when delivered under this Agreement will be, a legal,
valid and binding obligation of each of Parent, Borrower and their Subsidiaries
enforceable against it in accordance with its respective terms.

             7.1.4 CAPITAL STRUCTURE. SCHEDULE 7.1.4 hereto states (i) the
correct name of Parent, Borrower and the Subsidiaries of Parent and Borrower,
their jurisdiction of incorporation and the percentage of the Voting Stock owned
by Parent, Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries, (ii) the name of each of
Parent's, Borrower's and their Subsidiaries' corporate or joint venture
Affiliates and the nature of the affiliation, (iii) the number, nature and
holder of all outstanding Securities of Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries
and (iv) the number of authorized, issued and treasury shares of Parent,
Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries. Parent and Borrower has good title to
all of the shares it purports to own of the stock of each of their Subsidiaries,
free and clear in each case of any Lien other than Permitted Liens. All such
shares have been duly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable. There are no
outstanding options to purchase, or any rights or warrants to subscribe for, or
any commitments or agreements to issue or sell, or any Securities or obligations
convertible into, or any powers of attorney relating to, shares of the capital
stock of Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries. To the best of their knowledge
there are no outstanding agreements or instruments binding upon any of Parent's
or Borrower's shareholders relating to the ownership of their shares of capital
stock.

             7.1.5 CORPORATE NAMES. Neither Parent nor Borrower nor any of their
Subsidiaries have been known as or used any corporate, fictitious or trade names
except those listed on SCHEDULE 7.1.5 hereto. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE
7.1.5, neither Parent nor Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries have been the
surviving corporation of a merger or consolidation or acquired all or
substantially all of the assets of any Person.

             7.1.6 BUSINESS LOCATIONS; AGENT FOR PROCESS. Each of Parent's,
Borrower's and their domestic Subsidiaries' chief executive office and other
places of business are as listed on SCHEDULE 7.1.6 hereto. During the preceding
one-year period, neither Parent nor Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries have
had an office, place of business or agent for service of process other than as
listed on SCHEDULE 7.1.6. Except as shown on SCHEDULE 7.1.6, no Inventory is
stored with a bailee, warehouseman or similar party, nor is any Inventory
consigned to any Person.

             7.1.7 TITLE TO PROPERTIES; PRIORITY OF LIENS. Each of Parent,
Borrower and their Subsidiaries has good, indefeasible and marketable title to
and fee simple ownership of, or valid and subsisting leasehold interests in, all
of its real Property, and good title to all of the Collateral and all of its
other Property, in each case, free and clear of all Liens except Permitted
Liens. Borrower has paid or discharged all lawful claims which, if unpaid, might
become a Lien against any of Borrower's Properties that is not a Permitted Lien.
The Liens granted to Lender under Section 5 hereof are first priority Liens,
subject only to Permitted Liens.

                                       14
<PAGE>

             7.1.8 ACCOUNTS. Lender may rely, in determining which Accounts are
Eligible Accounts, on all statements and representations made by Borrower with
respect to any Account or Accounts. Unless otherwise indicated in writing to
Lender, with respect to each Account:

                  (i) It is genuine and in all respects what it purports to be,
         and it is not evidenced by a judgment;

                  (ii) It arises out of a completed, bona fide sale and delivery
         of goods or rendition of services by Borrower in the ordinary course of
         its business and in accordance with the terms and conditions of all
         purchase orders, contracts or other documents relating thereto and
         forming a part of the contract between Borrower and the Account Debtor;

                  (iii) It is for a liquidated amount maturing as stated in the
         duplicate invoice covering such sale or rendition of services (a copy
         of which shall be furnished to Lender upon its request);

                  (iv) Such Account, and Lender's security interest therein, is
         not, and will not (by voluntary act or omission of Borrower) be in the
         future, subject to any offset, Lien, deduction, defense, dispute,
         counterclaim or any other adverse condition except for disputes
         resulting in returned goods where the amount in controversy is deemed
         by Lender to be immaterial, and each such Account is absolutely owing
         to Borrower and is not contingent in any respect or for any reason;

                  (v) Borrower has made no agreement with any Account Debtor
         thereunder for any extension, compromise, settlement or modification of
         any such Account or any deduction therefrom, except discounts or
         allowances which are granted by Borrower in the ordinary course of its
         business for prompt payment and which are reflected in the calculation
         of the net amount of each respective invoice related thereto and are
         reflected in the Schedules of Accounts submitted to Lender pursuant to
         subsection 6.2.1 hereof,

                  (vi) There are no facts, events or occurrences which in any
         way impair the validity or enforceability of any Accounts or tend to
         reduce the amount payable thereunder from the face amount of the
         invoice and statements delivered to Lender with respect thereto;

                  (vii) To the best of Borrower's knowledge, the Account Debtor
         thereunder (1) had the capacity to contract at the time any contract or
         other document giving rise to the Account was executed and (2) such
         Account Debtor is Solvent; and

                  (viii) To the best of Borrower's knowledge, there are no
         proceedings or actions which are threatened or pending against any
         Account Debtor thereunder which might result in any material adverse
         change in such Account Debtor's financial condition or the
         collectibility of such Account.

             7.1.9 EQUIPMENT. The Equipment is in good operating condition and
repair, and all necessary replacements of and repairs thereto shall be made so
that the value and operating


                                       15
<PAGE>

efficiency of the Equipment shall be maintained and preserved, reasonable wear
and tear excepted. Borrower will not permit any of the Equipment to become
affixed to any real Property leased to Borrower so that an interest arises
therein under the real estate laws of the applicable jurisdiction unless the
landlord of such real Property has executed a landlord waiver or leasehold
mortgage in favor of and in form acceptable to Lender, and Borrower will not
permit any of the Equipment to become an accession to any personal Property
other than Equipment that is subject to first priority (except for Permitted
Liens) Liens in favor of Lender.

             7.1.10 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; FISCAL YEAR.

                  (i) The Consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of
         Parent, Borrower and such other Persons described therein (including
         the accounts of all Subsidiaries of Parent for the respective periods
         during which a Subsidiary relationship existed) as of December 31,
         1998, December 31, 1999 and December 31, 2000, and the related
         statements of income, changes in stockholder's equity, and changes in
         financial position for the periods ended on such dates, have been
         prepared in accordance with GAAP, and present fairly the financial
         positions of Borrower and such Persons at such dates and the results of
         Borrower's operations for such periods. Since September 30, 2000, there
         has been no material change in the condition, financial or otherwise,
         of Parent or Borrower and such other Persons as shown on the
         Consolidated balance sheet as of such date and no change in the
         aggregate value of Equipment and real Property owned by Parent and
         Borrower or such other Persons, except changes in the ordinary course
         of business, none of which individually or in the aggregate has been
         materially adverse. The fiscal year of Parent, Borrower and each of
         their Subsidiaries ends on December 31 of each year.

                  (ii) The assumptions used in preparation of the projections of
         the Parent and Borrower delivered to the Lender were reasonable when
         made are reasonable through the Closing Date. Such projections have
         been prepared by the executive and financial personnel of the Parent
         and Borrower in light of the business of each. Such projections have
         been prepared in good faith, have a reasonable basis and represent the
         good faith opinion of the Parent and Borrower as to the projected
         results of the operations of the Parent and Borrower as of the Closing
         Date. The Parent and Borrower do not have, on the Closing Date, any
         material obligations (whether accrued, matured, absolute, actual,
         contingent or otherwise) that are not reflected in the projections. No
         material facts as of the Closing Date have occurred since the
         preparation of the projections that would cause the projections, taken
         as a whole, not to be reasonably attainable. It being acknowledged that
         the projections are not a guarantee of future performance.

             7.1.11 FULL DISCLOSURE. The financial statements referred to in
subsection 7.1.10 hereof do not, nor does this Agreement or any other written
statement of Parent or Borrower to Lender, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit a material fact necessary to make the statements contained
therein or herein not misleading. There is no fact which Parent or Borrower has
failed to disclose to Lender in writing which materially affects adversely or,
so far as Parent or Borrower can now foresee, will materially affect adversely
the Properties, business, prospects, profits or condition (financial or
otherwise) of Parent, Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries or the ability of
Parent, Borrower or their Subsidiaries to perform this Agreement or


                                       16
<PAGE>

the other Loan Documents. The Collateral Certificates and the information
contained therein are true and correct as of the Closing Date.

             7.1.12 SOLVENT FINANCIAL CONDITION. Each of Parent, Borrower and
their Subsidiaries is now and, after giving effect to the Loans to be hereunder,
at all times will be, Solvent.

             7.1.13 SURETY OBLIGATIONS. Except as provided for in the Loan
Documents or in documents in favor of the Publishers, copies of which have been
attached to the Officers' Certificate, neither Parent nor Borrower nor any of
their Subsidiaries is obligated as surety or indemnitor under any surety or
similar bond or other contract issued or entered into any agreement to assure
payment, performance or completion of performance of any undertaking or
obligation of any Person.

             7.1.14 TAXES. Parent's federal tax identification number is
04-3370008. Dawson's federal tax identification number is 36-3657731. Faxon's
federal tax identification number is 04-2128264. Turner's federal tax
identification number is 13-5444680. McGregor's federal tax identification
number is 36-3369331. CSS's federal tax identification number is 02-3125044.
IQD's federal tax identification number is 33-0776038. Parent, Borrower and each
of their Subsidiaries has filed all federal, state and local tax returns and
other reports it is required by law to file and has paid, or made provision for
the payment of, all taxes, assessments, fees, levies and other governmental
charges upon it, its income and Properties as and when such taxes, assessments,
fees, levies and charges that are due and payable. The provision for taxes on
the books of Parent, Borrower and their Subsidiaries are adequate for all years
not closed by applicable statutes, and for its current fiscal year.

             7.1.15 BROKERS. To the best of their knowledge there are no claims
for brokerage commissions, finder's fees or investment banking fees in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

             7.1.16 PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, COPYRIGHTS AND LICENSES. Each of
Parent, Borrower and their domestic Subsidiaries owns or possesses all the
patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights and licenses
necessary for the present and planned future conduct of their business without
any known conflict with the rights of others. All such patents, trademarks,
service marks, tradenames, copyrights, licenses and other similar rights are
listed on SCHEDULE 7.1.16 hereto.

             7.1.17 GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS. Each of Parent, Borrower and their
Subsidiaries has, and is in good standing with respect to, all governmental
consents, approvals, licenses, authorizations permits, certificates, inspections
and franchises necessary to continue to conduct its business as heretofore
proposed to be conducted by it and to own or lease and operate its Properties as
now owned or leased by it.

             7.1.18 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The execution, delivery and
performance by each of the Parent, Borrower and their Subsidiaries of the Loan
Documents will not (a) contravene, result in any breach of, or constitute a
default under, or result in the creation of any Lien in respect of any property
of the Parent, Borrower or their Subsidiaries under, any indenture,


                                       17
<PAGE>

mortgage, deed of trust, loan, purchase or credit agreement, lease, corporate
charter or by-laws, or any other material agreement or instrument to which the
Parent, Borrower or their Subsidiaries are bound or by which the Parent,
Borrower or their Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties may be
bound or affected. Each of Parent, Borrower and their Subsidiaries has duly
complied with, and its Properties, business operations and leaseholds are in
compliance in all material respects with, the provisions of all federal, state
and local laws, rules and regulations applicable to Parent, Borrower or such
Subsidiary, as applicable, its Properties or the conduct of its business and
there have been no citations, notices or orders of noncompliance issued to
Parent, Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries under any such law, rule or
regulation. Each of Parent, Borrower and their Subsidiaries has established and
maintains an adequate monitoring system to insure that it remains in compliance
in all material respects with all federal, state and local laws, rules and
regulations applicable to it. No Inventory has been produced in violation of the
Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. 201 et M.), as amended.

             7.1.19 RESTRICTIONS. Neither Parent nor Borrower nor any of their
Subsidiaries is a party or subject to any contract, agreement, or charter or
other corporate restriction, which materially and adversely affects its business
or the use or ownership of any of its Properties. Neither Parent nor Borrower
nor any of their Subsidiaries is a party or subject to any contract or agreement
which restricts its right or ability to incur Indebtedness, other than as set
forth on SCHEDULE 7.1.19 hereto, none of which prohibit the execution of or
compliance with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents by Parent, Borrower
or any of their Subsidiaries, as applicable.

             7.1.20 LITIGATION. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 7.1.20 hereto,
there are no actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending, or to the
knowledge of Borrower, threatened, against or materially affecting Parent,
Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries, or the business, operations, Properties,
prospects, profits or condition of Parent, Borrower or any of their
Subsidiaries. Neither Parent nor Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries is in
default with respect to any order, writ, injunction, judgment, decree or rule of
any court, governmental authority or arbitration board or tribunal.

             7.1.21 NO DEFAULTS. No event has occurred and no condition exists
which would, upon or after the execution and delivery of this Agreement or
Parent's or Borrower's performance hereunder, constitute a Default or an Event
of Default. Neither Parent nor Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries is in
default, and no event has occurred and no condition exists which constitutes, or
which with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute,
a default in the payment of any Indebtedness to any Person for Money Borrowed.

             7.1.22 LEASES. SCHEDULE 7.1.22 hereto is a complete listing of all
capitalized leases of Parent, Borrower and their Subsidiaries and SCHEDULE
7.1.22 hereto is a complete listing of all operating leases of Parent, Borrower
and their domestic Subsidiaries. Each of Parent, Borrower and their domestic
Subsidiaries is in full compliance with all of the terms of each of its
respective capitalized and operating leases.

             7.1.23 PENSION PLANS. Except as disclosed on SCHEDULE 7.1.23
hereto, neither Parent nor Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries has any Plan.
Parent, Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries is in full compliance with the
requirements of ERISA and the regulations


                                       18
<PAGE>

promulgated hereunder with respect to each Plan. No fact or situation that could
result in a material adverse change in the financial condition of Parent,
Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries exists in connection with any Plan.
Neither Parent nor Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries has any withdrawal
liability in connection with a Multiemployer Plan.

             7.1.24 TRADE RELATIONS. There exists no actual or threatened
termination, cancellation or limitation of, or any modification or change in,
the business relationship between Parent, Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries
and, to the best of their knowledge, any customer or any group of customers,
whose purchases individually or in the aggregate are material to the business of
Parent, Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries, or with any material supplier,
and there exists no present condition or state of facts or circumstances which
would materially affect adversely Parent, Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries
or prevent Parent, Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries from conducting such
business after the consummation of the transaction contemplated by this
Agreement in substantially the same manner in which it has heretofore been
conducted.

             7.1.25 LABOR RELATIONS. Except as described on SCHEDULE 7.1.25
hereto, neither Parent, Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries is a party to any
collective bargaining agreement. There are no material grievances, disputes or
controversies with any union or any other organization of Parent's, Borrower's
or any of their Subsidiaries' employees, or threats of strikes, work stoppages
or any asserted pending demands for collective bargaining by any union or
organization.

             7.1.26 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Except as set forth in SCHEDULE
7.1.26 hereto:

         (a) Each of Parent, Borrower and their Subsidiaries has obtained all
permits, licenses and other authorizations required under all Environmental Laws
to carry on its business as now being conducted, except to the extent failure to
have any such permit, license or authorization would not reasonably be expected
to have a material adverse effect on the business of such entity. Each of such
permits, licenses and authorizations is in full force and effect, and each of
Parent, Borrower and their Subsidiaries is in compliance with the terms and
conditions thereof except to the extent any such non-compliance would not
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business of such
entity.

         (b) Neither Parent, Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries has received
written notice of any demand, request for information, citation, penalty,
summons or order; no compliant has been served on Parent, Borrower or any of
their Subsidiaries and no investigation or review is pending or threatened by
any governmental or other entity with respect to any alleged failure by Parent,
Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries to have any permit, license or other
authorization required under any Environmental Law in connection with the
conduct of the business of Parent, Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries or with
respect to any violation by Parent, Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries.

         (c) Neither Parent, Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries owns,
operates or leases a treatment, storage or disposal facility requiring a permit
under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended or under
any comparable state statute.

                                       19
<PAGE>

         (d) Except as permitted or authorized under Environmental Laws, no
Hazardous Materials have been released by Parent, Borrower or any of their
Subsidiaries at, on or under any site or facility now owned, operated or leased
by Parent, Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries that would have a material
adverse effect on the business of Parent, Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries.

         (e) Neither Parent, Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries has received
written notice that any site or facility to which it transported or arranged for
the transportation of any Hazardous Material is (i) listed on the National
Priorities List ("NPL") under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and ( Liability Act of 1980, as amended ("CERCLA"), (ii) listed for
possible inclusion on the NPL by the Environmental Protection Agency in the
Comprehensive Environmental Response and Liability Information System, as
provided for by 40 C.F.R. ss. 300.5 ("CERCLIS"), or on any similar state or
local list or (iii) the subject of Federal, state or local enforcement actions
or other investigations that may lead to Environmental Claims against Parent,
Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries.

         (f) Neither Parent, Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries has received
written notice that any site or facility owned, operated or leased by Parent,
Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries is listed or proposed for listing on the
NPL or CERCLIS.

         (g) No Liens have been imposed under any Environmental Laws on any site
or facility owned or operated by Parent, Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries,
and, no government action has been taken to subject any such site or facility to
such Liens, and neither Parent, Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries has
placed any notice or restriction relating to the presence of Hazardous Materials
at any site or facility presently owned by it in any deed to the real property
on which such site or facility is located.

         (h) All site investigations, studies, audits, reviews or other reports
in the possession of Parent, Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries concerning
environmental conditions at or affecting any site or facility how owned,
operated or leased by Parent, Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries have been
made available to the Lender.

         7.2 CONTINUOUS NATURE OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Each
representation and warranty contained in this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents shall be continuous in nature and shall remain accurate, complete and
not misleading at all times during the term of this Agreement, except for
changes in the nature of Parent's, Borrower's or their Subsidiaries' business or
operations that would render the information in any exhibit attached hereto
either inaccurate, incomplete or misleading, so long as Lender has consented to
such changes or such changes are expressly permitted by this Agreement. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, each loan request made pursuant to
subsection 3.1.1 hereof shall constitute Parent and Borrower's reaffirmation, as
of the date of each such loan request, of each representation, warranty or other
statement made or furnished to Lender by or on behalf of Parent, Borrower, any
Subsidiary of Parent, or other Guarantor in this Agreement, any of the other
Loan Documents, or any instrument, certificate or financial statement furnished
in compliance with or in reference thereto.

                                       20
<PAGE>

         7.3 SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. All representations and
warranties of Parent and Borrower contained in this Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents shall survive the execution, delivery and acceptance
thereof by Lender and the parties thereto and the closing of the transactions
described therein or related thereto.

SECTION 8. COVENANTS AND CONTINUING AGREEMENTS8.1 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. During
the term of this Agreement, and thereafter for so long as there are any
Obligations to Lender, Parent and Borrower covenant that, unless otherwise
consented to by Lender in writing, they shall:

             8.1.1 VISITS AND INSPECTIONS. Permit representatives of Lender,
from time to time, as often as may be reasonably requested, to visit and inspect
the Properties of Parent, Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries, inspect,
audit and make extracts from its books and records, and discuss with its
officers, its employees and its independent accountants, Parent's, Borrower's
and each of their Subsidiaries' business, assets, liabilities, financial
condition, business prospects and results of operations, including (i) field
audits and (ii) weekly inspections of Parent and of Borrower to verify the
amount and proper application of proceeds from accounts receivable, the status
of all accounts payable, the amount of cash or other liquidity available to
Parent and to Borrower and the conformity of findings to Parent's and Borrower's
Cash Flow Projections and Borrower's Borrowing Base Certificate. All field
audits and inspections would be reimbursable by Borrower in accordance with
Lender's standard practice. The current rate reimbursable to Lender with respect
to field audits is $650 per day per auditor plus out-of-pocket expenses.

             8.1.2 NOTICES. Promptly notify Lender in writing of the occurrence
of any event or the existence of any fact which renders any representation or
warranty in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents inaccurate,
incomplete or misleading.

             8.1.3 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Keep, and cause each Subsidiary to
keep, adequate records and books of account with respect to its business
activities in which proper entries are made in accordance with GAAP reflecting
all its financial transactions; and cause to be prepared and furnished to Lender
the following (all to be prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a
consistent basis, unless Borrower's certified public accountants concur in any
change therein and such change is disclosed to Lender and is consistent with
GAAP):

                  (i) not later than ninety (90) days after the close of each
         fiscal year of Borrower (beginning with fiscal year ended December 31,
         2000), unqualified audited financial statements of Parent, Borrower and
         their Subsidiaries as of the end of such year, on a Consolidated basis,
         certified by a firm of independent certified public accountants of
         recognized standing selected by Borrower but acceptable to Lender
         (except for a qualification for a change in accounting principles with
         which the accountant concurs and a going concern qualification as to
         the Parent);

                  (ii) not later than forty-five (45) days after the end of each
         fiscal quarterly accounting period, including the last quarter of
         Borrower's fiscal year and beginning with the Borrower's fiscal quarter
         ended December 31, 2000, unaudited interim financial statements of
         Parent, Borrower and their Subsidiaries as of the end of


                                       21
<PAGE>

         such quarter and of the portion of Borrower's financial year then
         elapsed, certified by the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower as
         prepared in accordance with GAAP and fairly presenting the financial
         position and results of operations of Parent, Borrower and their
         Subsidiaries for such quarter and period subject only to changes from
         audit and year-end adjustments and except that such statements need not
         contain notes;

                  (iii) not later than twenty (20) days after the end of each
         month hereafter, including the last month of Borrower's fiscal year and
         beginning with the Borrower's fiscal month ended January 31, 2001,
         unaudited interim financial statements and cash budgets in form
         satisfactory to Lender each of Parent, Borrower and their Subsidiaries
         as of the end of such month and of the portion of Borrower's financial
         year then elapsed, on a Consolidated and consolidating basis, certified
         by the principal financial officer of the Borrower as prepared in
         accordance with GAAP and fairly presenting the Consolidated financial
         position and results of operations of Parent, Borrower and their
         Subsidiaries for such month and period subject only to changes from
         audit and year-end adjustments and except that such statements need not
         contain notes;

                  (iv) promptly after the sending or filing thereof, as the case
         may be, copies of any proxy statements, financial statements or reports
         which Parent or Borrower has made available to its shareholders and
         copies of any regular, periodic and special reports or registration
         statements which Parent or Borrower files with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission or any governmental authority which may be
         substituted therefore, or any national securities exchange;

                  (v) promptly after the filing thereof, copies of any annual
         report to be filed with ERISA in connection with each Plan;

                  (vi) copies of all communications, reports or financial
         statements, made available to Publishers pursuant to the Publisher Note
         Purchase Documents; and

                  (vii) such other data and information (financial and
         otherwise) as Lender, from time to time, may reasonably request,
         bearing upon or related to the Collateral or Parent's, Borrower's and
         each of their Subsidiaries' financial condition or results of
         operations.

         Concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements described in
clause (i) of this subsection 8.1.3, Parent and Borrower shall forward to Lender
a copy of the accountants' letter to Parent's and Borrower's management that is
prepared in connection with such financial statements and also shall cause to be
prepared and shall furnish to Lender a certificate of the aforesaid certified
public accountants certifying to Lender that based upon their examination of the
financial statements of Parent, Borrower and their Subsidiaries performed in
connection with their examination of said financial statements, they are not
aware of any Default or Event of Default, or, if they are aware of such Default
or Event of Default, specifying the nature thereof, and acknowledging, in a
manner satisfactory to Lender, that they are aware that Lender is relying on
such financial statements in making its decisions with respect to the Loans.
Concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements described in clauses
(i), (ii) and (iii) of this subsection 8.1.3, or more frequently if requested by
Lender, Borrower shall cause to be prepared and


                                       22
<PAGE>

furnished to Lender a Compliance Certificate in the form of EXHIBIT B hereto
executed by the Chief Financial Officer of Borrower.

             8.1.4 LANDLORD AND STORAGE AGREEMENTS. Provide Lender with copies
of all agreements between Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries and any landlord
or warehouseman which owns any premises at which any Inventory may, from time to
time, be kept.

             8.1.5 SHAREHOLDER FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Deliver or cause to be
delivered to Lender financial statements for the Shareholder in form and
substance satisfactory to Lender at such intervals and covering such time
periods as Lender may request.

             8.1.6 DOMESTIC SUBSIDIARY GUARANTIES. The Parent and Borrower will
cause each Person that becomes a domestic Subsidiary of each at any time after
the Closing Date to execute and deliver to the Lender, within 15 days of such
Person becoming a Subsidiary, a Subsidiary Guaranty in respect of the Revolving
Credit Note. As the time each such Subsidiary executes such Subsidiary Guaranty,
the Parent and Borrower shall cause such domestic Subsidiary to deliver to
Lender a certificate of the secretary or assistant secretary of such Subsidiary
attaching and certifying as true, complete and accurate copies of the
constitutive documents of such Subsidiary and corporate resolutions (or
equivalent) authorizing such transaction, in each case certified as true and
correct by an appropriate officer of such Subsidiary.

             8.1.7 BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE. Deliver or cause to be delivered
to Lender every Business Day a certificate in a form approved by Lender setting
forth the Borrowing Base updated daily (the "Borrowing Base Certificate"). Such
certificate shall demonstrate with respect to any Eligible Accounts stated
therein that Borrower has made full payment and/or delivery of services and
goods to the publisher/vendor related to the Eligible Account.

             8.1.8 INTENTIONALLY DELETED.

         8.2 NEGATIVE COVENANTS. During the term of this Agreement, and
thereafter for so long as there are any Obligations to Lender, Parent and
Borrower covenant that, unless Lender has first consented thereto in writing,
they will not:

             8.2.1 MERGERS; CONSOLIDATIONS; ACQUISITIONS. Merge or consolidate,
or permit any Subsidiary of Parent or Borrower to merge or consolidate, with any
Person; nor acquire, nor permit any of Parent's or Borrower's Subsidiaries to
acquire, all or any substantial part of the Properties of any Person.

             8.2.2 LOANS. Make, or permit any Subsidiary of Parent or Borrower
to make, any loans or other advances of money (other than for salary, travel
advances, advances against commissions and other similar advances in the
ordinary course of business) to any Person.

             8.2.3 TOTAL INDEBTEDNESS. Create, incur, assume, or suffer to
exist, or permit any Subsidiary of Borrower to create, incur or suffer to exist,
any Indebtedness, except:

                  (i) Obligations owing to Lender;

                                       23
<PAGE>

                  (ii) Subordinated Debt existing on the date of this Agreement;

                  (iii) Accounts payable to trade creditors and current
         operating expenses (other than for Money Borrowed) which are not aged
         more than 120 days from billing date or more than 30 days from the due
         date, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business and paid
         within such time period, unless the same are being actively contested
         in good faith and by appropriate and lawful proceedings; and Borrower
         or such Subsidiary shall have set aside such reserves, if any, with
         respect thereto as are required by GAAP and deemed adequate by Borrower
         or such Subsidiary and its independent accountants;

                  (iv) Obligations to pay Rentals permitted by subsection
         8.2.13;

                  (v) Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness;

                  (vi) contingent liabilities arising out of endorsements of
         checks and other negotiable instruments for deposit or collection in
         the ordinary course of business;

                  (vii) Indebtedness subordinated to the Obligations on terms
         reasonably satisfactory to the Lenders so long as (a) no Default or
         Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (b) the proceeds of
         such debt is applied to outstanding advances under the Revolving
         Credit.

                  (viii) Indebtedness not included in paragraphs (i) through
         (vii) above which does not exceed at any time, in the aggregate, the
         sum of $100,000.

                  (ix) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,
         the Parents' foreign Subsidiaries may borrow funds and secure their
         obligations in respect of such borrowings by granting liens on their
         assets, and transfer such funds to Parent solely to the extent that
         such funds are used to pay off the Montrose Debenture.

             8.2.4 AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS. Except as set forth on Schedule
8.2.4, enter into, or be a party to, or permit any Subsidiary of Parent or
Borrower to enter into or be a party to, any transaction with any Affiliate of
Parent or Borrower or stockholder, except in the ordinary course of and pursuant
to the reasonable requirements of Parent's or Borrower's or such Subsidiary's
business and upon fair and reasonable terms which are fully disclosed to Lender
and are no less favorable to Parent or Borrower than would obtain in a
comparable arm's length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate or
stockholder of Parent or Borrower or such Subsidiary.

             8.2.5 LIMITATION ON LIENS. Create or suffer to exist, or permit any
Subsidiary of Borrower to create or suffer to exist, any Lien upon any of its
Property, income or profits, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:

                  (i) Liens at any time granted in favor of Lender;

                  (ii) Liens for taxes (excluding any Lien imposed pursuant to
         any of the provisions of ERISA) not yet due, or being contested in the
         manner described in


                                       24
<PAGE>

         subsection 7.1.14 hereto, but only if in Lender's judgment such Lien
         does not adversely affect Lender's rights or the priority of Lender's
         Lien in the Collateral;

                  (iii) Liens arising in the ordinary course of Parent's or
         Borrower's business by operation of law or regulation, but only if
         payment in respect of any such Lien is not at the time required and
         such Liens do not, in the aggregate, materially detract from the value
         of the Property of Borrower or materially impair the use thereof in the
         operation of Borrower's business;

                  (iv) Purchase Money Liens securing Permitted Purchase Money
         Indebtedness;

                  (v) such other Liens as appear on Schedule 8.2.5 hereto;

                  (vi) Liens as provided for under the Publisher Note Purchase
         Documents; and

                  (vii) such other Liens as Lender may hereafter approve in
         writing.

             8.2.6 SUBORDINATED DEBT. Make, or permit any Subsidiary of Borrower
to make, any payment of any part or all of any Subordinated Debt or take any
other action or omit to take any other action in respect of any Subordinated
Debt, except in accordance with the Intercreditor Agreements relative thereto.

             8.2.7 DISTRIBUTIONS. Declare or make, or permit any domestic
Subsidiary of Parent or Borrower to declare or make, any Distributions.

             8.2.8 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. Make Capital Expenditures (including,
without limitation, by way of capitalized leases) which, in the aggregate, as to
Parent, Borrower and their Subsidiaries, exceed $100,000.

             8.2.9 DISPOSITION OF ASSETS. Sell, lease or otherwise dispose of
any of, or permit any domestic Subsidiary of Parent or Borrower to sell, lease
or otherwise dispose any of, its Properties, including any disposition of
Property as part of a sale and leaseback transaction, to or in favor of any
Person, except (i) sales of Inventory in the ordinary course of business for so
long as no Event of Default exists hereunder, (ii) a transfer of Property to
Borrower by Parent or a Subsidiary of Borrower or (iii) dispositions expressly
authorized by this Agreement. All proceeds from any permitted sales or transfers
shall be applied to the Obligations under the Revolving Credit Note.

             8.2.10 STOCK OF SUBSIDIARIES. Permit any of their Subsidiaries to
issue any additional shares of its capital stock.

             8.2.11 BILL-AND-HOLD SALES, ETC. Make a sale to any customer on a
bill-and-hold, guaranteed sale, sale and return, sale on approval or consignment
basis, or any sale on a repurchase or return basis.

                                       25
<PAGE>

             8.2.12 RESTRICTED INVESTMENT. Make or have, or permit any
Subsidiary of Borrower to make or have, any Restricted Investment.

             8.2.13 LEASES. Become, or permit any of their Subsidiaries to
become, a lessee under any operating lease (other than a lease under which
Parent or Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries is lessor) of Property if the
aggregate Rentals payable during any current or future period of 12 consecutive
months under the lease in question and all other leases under which Parent or
Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries is then lessee would exceed $50,000. The
term "Rentals" means, as of the date of determination, all payments which the
lessee is required to make by the terms of any lease.

             8.2.14 TAX CONSOLIDATION. File or consent to the filing of any
consolidated income tax return with any Person other than the Parent or
Subsidiary of Parent or Borrower.

             8.2.15 BANK ACCOUNTS. Create or maintain an account for collecting
or holding cash or cash equivalents with any Person, unless such account (i) is
subject to a Blocked Account Agreement in form and substance satisfactory to
Lender, (ii) owned by CSS and at all times has cash or cash equivalents of a
value less than $250,000 or (iii) owned by the Parent. All such accounts of the
Borrower are listed on Schedule 8.2.15 hereto.

             8.2.16 DISTRIBUTION. The Parent and Borrower shall not, and shall
not permit any of their Subsidiaries to create or suffer to exist any
encumbrance or restriction on the ability of each to make any Distribution,
except for encumbrances or restrictions (i) pursuant to the Loan Documents, (ii)
existing under applicable law or (iii) pursuant to the Publisher Note Purchase
Documents.

             8.2.17 ACCOUNTING CHANGES. The Parent and Borrower shall not, and
shall not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, make any significant change in
accounting treatment or reporting practices, except as may be required by GAAP,
or establish a fiscal year different from the fiscal year.

             8.2.18 ORGANIZATION DOCUMENTS. The Parent and Borrower shall not,
and shall not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, amend, modify or otherwise
change any of the terms or provisions in any of its organization documents as in
effect on the Closing Date, except for changes that do not affect in any way
such entity's rights and obligations to enter into and perform the Loan
Documents to which it is a party and to pay all of the Obligations and that do
not otherwise have a material adverse effect on the Parent, Borrower or their
Subsidiaries.

             8.2.19 RESTRICTIVE AGREEMENTS. The Parent and Borrower shall not,
and shall not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, enter into or become party to
any Restrictive Agreement other than the Publisher Note Purchase Documents
disclosed in Schedule 8.2.19 hereto, provided that none of such disclosed
agreements shall be amended without prior notice to and the consent of the
Lender.

             8.2.20 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS. The Parent and Borrower shall not, and
shall not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than
the business engaged in by it on the Closing Date and any business or activities
which are substantially similar, related or incidental thereto.

                                       26
<PAGE>

         8.3 SPECIFIC BORROWER FINANCIAL COVENANTS. During the term of this
Agreement, and thereafter for so long as there are any Obligations to Lender,
Borrower and Parent covenants that, unless otherwise consented to by Lender in
writing, it shall:

             8.3.1 EBITDA. The Borrower (excluding CSS) shall maintain EBITDA as
follows:

                  (i) not less than $3,366,000 for the month ending January 31,
         2001;

                  (ii) not less than $(2,638,000) for the two-month period
         ending February 28, 2001;

                  (iii) not less than $(2,283,000) for the three-month period
         ending March 31, 2001;

                  (iv) not less than $(1,646,000) for the four-month period
         ending April 30, 2001 and

                  (v) not less than $(841,000) for the five-month period ending
         May 31, 2001.

         8.4 SPECIFIC PARENT FINANCIAL COVENANTS. During the term of this
Agreement, and thereafter for so long as there are any Obligations to Lender,
Parent and Borrower covenant that, unless consented to in writing, Parent shall:

             8.4.1 EBITDA. Parent and CSS, collectively shall maintain EBITDA as
follows:

                  (i) not less than $(1,200,000) for the month ending January
         31, 2001;

                  (ii) not less than $(2,489,000) for the two-month period
         ending February 28, 2001;

                  (iii) not less than $(3,689,000) for the three-month period
         ending March 31, 2001;

                  (iv) not less than $(4,934,000) for the four-month period
         ending April 30, 2001; and

                  (v) not less than $(6,134,000) for the five-month period
         ending May 31, 2001.


SECTION 9.        CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

         Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents, and without affecting in any manner the rights of Lender
under the other sections of


                                       27
<PAGE>

this Agreement, Lender shall not be required to make any Loan under this
Agreement unless and until each of the following conditions has been and
continues to be satisfied:

         9.1 DOCUMENTATION. Lender shall have received, in form and substance
satisfactory to Lender and its counsel, a duly executed copy of this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents, together with such additional documents,
instruments and certificates as Lender and its counsel shall require in
connection therewith from time to time, all in form and substance satisfactory
to Lender and its counsel.

         9.2 NO DEFAULT. No Default or Event of Default shall exist under any
Loan Document.

         9.3 OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS. Each of the conditions precedent set forth in
the Other Agreements and Security Documents shall have been satisfied.

         9.4 COLLATERAL EXAMINATION. Lender shall have completed Collateral
examinations and field audits, the results of which shall be satisfactory in
form and substance to Lender, of the Receivables, inventory, General
Intangibles, and Equipment of Borrower and all books and records in connection
therewith;

         9.5 AVAILABILITY. Availability shall not be less than $5,000,000
immediately after each advance by the Lender hereunder, except after the initial
advance where Availability shall not be less than $2,500,000 immediately after
such advance.

         9.6 NO LITIGATION. No action, proceeding, investigation, regulation or
legislation shall have been instituted, threatened or proposed before any court,
governmental agency or legislative body to enjoin, restrain or prohibit, or to
obtain damages in respect of, or which is related to or arises out of this
Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

         9.7 FEES. Lender shall have received all fees payable to Lender on or
prior to the Closing Date pursuant to Section 2 hereof.

         9.8 UCC SEARCHES/FINANCING STATEMENTS. Lender shall have received (i)
certified UCC-11 lien searches in all jurisdictions where Collateral is located
and (ii) UCC-1 Financing Statements executed by the Borrower necessary to
perfect the Lender's first-priority security interest in the Collateral and such
statements have been filed in the appropriate locations.

         9.9 BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE. Lender shall have received a Borrowing
Base Certificate dated as of the Closing Date.

         9.10 OFFICER'S CERTIFICATES. Lender shall have received the executed
Officer's Certificates.

         9.11 SECRETARY'S CERTIFICATES. The Lender shall have received a
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary (or Clerk or Assistant
Clerk) of the Parent and the Borrower (i) attaching a true and complete copy of
the articles or certificate of incorporation certified by the Secretary of State
of such entity's jurisdiction of incorporation; (ii) attaching a true and
complete copy of the by-laws of such entity; (iii) attaching a true and complete
set of resolutions


                                       28
<PAGE>

of each entity approving the transaction contemplated hereby; and (iv)
certifying as to the name and signatures of the officers of each entity
authorized to sign this Agreement, the Revolving Credit Note, the Security
Documents, the Other Documents or any other document to be delivered by the
Parent or the Borrower hereunder.

         9.12 CERTIFICATES OF LEGAL EXISTENCE AND GOOD STANDING AND FOREIGN
QUALIFICATION. The Lender shall have received (i) certificates of legal
existence and good standing issued by the Secretaries of State of each
jurisdiction where the Parent and Borrower is incorporated and (ii) certificates
of foreign qualifications issued by the Secretaries of State of each
jurisdiction where the Parent and/or the Borrower is qualified to conduct
business as a foreign corporation.

         9.13 LEGAL OPINIONS. The Lender shall have received (i) a legal opinion
of Bingham, Dana LLP; Chapman and Cutler; Blank, Rome, Comisky & McCauley, LLP,
and counsel to the Parent, the Borrower and the Shareholder, as to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement both in form and substance
satisfactory to the Lender which shall include an opinion regarding the
likelihood of the substantive consolidation Parent and Borrower upon the
bankruptcy filing of either entity and (ii) copies of all legal opinions issued
to Publishers in connection with their loans to the Parent and any of their
Subsidiaries.

         9.14 PAYOFF LETTERS AND TERMINATION STATEMENTS. The Lender shall have
received payoff letters and UCC-3 Termination Statements and/or any instrument
necessary to terminate the security interests granted to all third parties
(other than Liens permitted hereunder) and provide evidence of satisfaction of
all obligations of the Borrower to such third parties.

         9.15 INSURANCE. The Lender shall have received from the Borrower
evidence of all insurance required pursuant to Section 6.1.2 hereof naming the
Lender as loss payee and as an additional insured under each policy then in
force.

         9.16 FINANCIAL INFORMATION/CASH FLOW PROJECTIONS. The Lender shall have
received the Financial Statements and Cash Flow Projections from the Parent, the
Borrower and the Shareholder (as applicable).

         9.17 BLOCKED ACCOUNT ARRANGEMENTS. The Lender shall have received from
the Borrower executed Blocked Account Agreements for all accounts of the
Borrower.

         9.18 CASH MANAGEMENT. The Lender shall have received from the Borrower
executed agreements relating to the Borrower's cash management (including lock
box agreement) in form and substance satisfactory to Lender.

         9.19 REQUEST FOR ADVANCE. The Lender shall have received a written
request from Borrower specifying the amount of the initial Revolving Credit
Loan.

         9.20 ACCOUNT PAYABLE OBLIGATIONS. The Lender shall have received
evidence of past due accounts payable obligations due to certain publishers and
certification of sources and uses satisfactory to the Lender.

                                       29
<PAGE>

         9.21 FRENCH SUBSIDIARY PAYMENT. RoweCom France SAS shall have paid at
least $1,000,000 of an intercompany account receivable to Parent, which Parent
shall have transferred to Dawson on terms and conditions satisfactory to Lender.

         9.22 MISCELLANEOUS. The Lender shall have received all other documents,
instruments, information or consents it deems necessary.

SECTION 10.       EVENTS OF DEFAULT; RIGHTS AND REMEDIES ON DEFAULT

         10.1 EVENTS OF DEFAULT. The occurrence of one or more of the following
events shall constitute an "Event of Default":

             10.1.1 PAYMENT OF REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE. Borrower shall fail to pay
any installment of principal, interest, costs or premium, if any, owing on the
Revolving Credit Note on the due date of such installment.

             10.1.2 PAYMENT OF OTHER OBLIGATIONS. Parent, Borrower or Guarantor
shall fail to pay any of the Obligations that are not evidenced by the Revolving
Credit Note on the due date thereof (whether due at stated maturity, on demand,
upon acceleration or otherwise).

             10.1.3 MISREPRESENTATIONS. Any representation, warranty or other
statement made or furnished to Lender by or on behalf of Parent, Borrower, any
Subsidiary of Borrower or any Guarantor in any of the Loan Documents or any
instrument, certificate or financial statement furnished in compliance with, in
connection with or in reference thereto proves to have been false or misleading
in any material respect when made or furnished or when reaffirmed pursuant to
Section 7.2 hereof.

             10.1.4 BREACH OF SPECIFIC COVENANTS. Parent or Borrower shall fail
or neglect to perform, keep or observe any covenant contained in Sections 5, 6
or 8 hereof on the date that Parent or Borrower is required to perform, keep or
observe such covenant.

             10.1.5 BREACH OF OTHER COVENANTS. Parent or Borrower shall fail or
neglect to perform, keep or observe any covenant contained in this Agreement
(other than a covenant which is dealt with specifically elsewhere in Section
10.1 hereof) and the breach of such other covenant is not cured to Lender's
satisfaction within 15 days after the sooner to occur of Borrower's receipt of
notice of such breach from Lender or the date on which such failure or neglect
first becomes known to any officer of Borrower.

             10.1.6 DEFAULT UNDER SECURITY DOCUMENTS/OTHER AGREEMENTS. Any event
of default shall occur under, or Parent or Borrower shall default in the
performance or observance of any term, covenant, condition or agreement
contained in, any of the Security Documents or the Other Agreements and such
default shall continue beyond any applicable grace period.

             10.1.7 OTHER DEFAULTS. There shall occur any default or event of
default on the part of Parent, Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries under any
agreement, document or instrument to which Parent, Borrower or any of their
Subsidiaries is a party or by which Parent, Borrower, any of their Subsidiaries
or any of its Property is bound, creating or relating to any Indebtedness (other
than the Obligations) if the payment or maturity of such Indebtedness is

                                       30

<PAGE>

accelerated in consequence of such event of default or demand for payment of
such Indebtedness is made.

             10.1.8 UNINSURED LOSSES. Any material loss, theft, damage or
destruction of any of the Collateral not fully covered by insurance.

             10.1.9 ADVERSE CHANGES OR EFFECT. There shall occur any material
adverse change in the financial condition or business prospects of Parent,
Borrower or any Guarantor or there shall have occurred any event or occurrence
which shall have a material adverse effect on the Parent or any Borrower or
their ability to pay the Obligations in full.

             10.1.10 INSOLVENCY AND RELATED PROCEEDING. Parent, Borrower or any
Guarantor shall cease to be Solvent or shall suffer the appointment of a
receiver, trustee, custodian or similar fiduciary, or shall make an assignment
for the benefit of creditors, or any petition for an order for relief shall be
filed by or against Parent, Borrower or any Guarantor under the Bankruptcy Code
(if against Parent, Borrower or any Guarantor, the continuation of such
proceeding for more than 30 days), or Parent, Borrower or any Guarantor shall
make any offer of settlement, extension or composition to their respective
unsecured creditors generally.

             10.1.11 BUSINESS DISRUPTION; CONDEMNATION. There shall occur a
cessation of a substantial part of the business of Parent, Borrower, any
Subsidiary of Parent or Borrower or any Guarantor for a period which
significantly affects Parent's, Borrower's or such Guarantor's capacity to
continue its business, consistent with its financial position as of the Closing
Date; or Parent, Borrower, any Subsidiary of Parent or Borrower or any Guarantor
shall suffer the loss or revocation of any license or permit now held or
hereafter acquired by Parent, Borrower or such Guarantor which is necessary to
the continued or lawful operation of its business; or Parent, Borrower or any
Guarantor shall be enjoined, restrained or in any way prevented by court,
governmental or administrative order from conducting all or any material part of
its business affairs; or any material lease or agreement pursuant to which
Parent, Borrower or any Guarantor leases, uses or occupies any Property shall be
canceled or terminated prior to the expiration of its stated term; or any part
of the Collateral with a value individually or in the aggregate in excess of
$50,000 shall be taken through condemnation or the value of such Property shall
be impaired through condemnation.

             10.1.12 CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP. Parent shall cease to own and control,
beneficially and of record, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of any of its Subsidiaries.

             10.1.13 ERISA. A Reportable Event shall occur which Lender, in its
sole discretion, shall determine in good faith constitutes grounds for the
termination by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation of any Plan or for the
appointment by the appropriate United States district court of a trustee for any
Plan, or if any Plan shall be terminated or any such trustee shall be requested
or appointed, or if Parent, Borrower, any Subsidiary of Borrower or any
Guarantor is in "default" (as defined in Section 4219(c)(5) of ERISA) with
respect to payments to a Multi-employer Plan resulting from Parent's,
Borrower's, such Subsidiary's or such Guarantor's complete or partial withdrawal
from such Plan.

                                       31
<PAGE>

             10.1.14 CHALLENGE TO AGREEMENT. Parent, Borrower, any Subsidiary of
Parent or Borrower or any Guarantor, or any Affiliate of any of them, shall
challenge or contest in any action, suit or proceeding the validity or
enforceability of this Agreement, or any of the other Loan Documents, the
legality or enforceability of any of the Obligations or the perfection or
priority of any Lien granted to Lender or any of the Loan Documents shall cease
to be in full force and effect or shall be declared by a court or other
governmental authority of competent jurisdiction to be void, voidable or
unenforceable against Parent or Borrower.

             10.1.15 REPUDIATION OF OR DEFAULT UNDER GUARANTY AGREEMENT. Any
Guarantor shall revoke or attempt to revoke the Guaranty Agreement signed by
such Guarantor, or shall repudiate such Guarantor's liability thereunder or
shall be in default under the terms thereof.

             10.1.16 CRIMINAL FORFEITURE. Parent, Borrower, any Subsidiary of
Parent or Borrower or any Guarantor shall be criminally indicted or convicted
under any law that could lead to a forfeiture of any Property of Parent or
Borrower, any Subsidiary of Parent or Borrower or any Guarantor.

             10.1.17 JUDGMENTS. Any money judgment, writ of attachment or
similar process is filed against Parent, Borrower, any Subsidiary of Parent or
Borrower or any Guarantor, or any of their respective Property for payment of
money in excess of the sum of $50,000 individually or in the aggregate which
shall not be discharged within sixty (60) days from the date of entry thereof.

         10.2 ACCELERATION OF THE OBLIGATIONS. Without in any way limiting the
right of Lender to demand payment of any portion of the Obligations payable on
demand in accordance with the Loan Documents, upon or at any time after the
occurrence of an Event of Default, all or any portion of the Obligations shall,
at the option of Lender and without presentment, demand protest or further
notice by Lender, become at once due and payable and Borrower shall forthwith
pay to Lender, the full amount of such Obligations, provided, that upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default specified in subsection 10.1.10 hereof, all of
the Obligations shall become automatically due and payable without declaration,
notice or demand by Lender.

         10.3 OTHER REMEDIES. Upon and after the occurrence of an Event of
Default, Lender shall have and may exercise from time to time the following
rights and remedies:

             10.3.1 CUMULATIVE RIGHTS. All of the rights and remedies of a
secured party under the Code or under other applicable law, and all other legal
and equitable rights to which Lender may be entitled (including without
limitation seeking the appointment of a State or Federal court receiver), all of
which rights and remedies shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to any
other rights or remedies contained in this Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents, and none of which shall be exclusive.

             10.3.2 POSSESSION OF COLLATERAL. The right to take immediate
possession of the Collateral, and to (i) require Borrower to assemble the
Collateral, at Borrower's expense, and make it available to Lender at a place
designated by Lender which is reasonably convenient to


                                       32
<PAGE>

both parties, and (ii) enter any premises where any of the Collateral shall be
located and to keep and store the Collateral on said premises until sold.

             10.3.3 SELLER DISPOSES OF COLLATERAL. The right to sell or
otherwise dispose of all or any Collateral in its then condition, or after any
further manufacturing or processing thereof, at public or private sale or sales,
with such notice as may be required by law, in lots or in bulk, for cash or on
credit, all as Lender, in its sole discretion, may deem advisable. Borrower
agrees that ten (10) days written notice to Borrower of any public or private
sale or other disposition of Collateral shall be reasonable notice thereof, and
such sale shall be at such locations as Lender may designate in said notice.
Lender shall have the right to conduct such sales on Borrower's premises,
without charge therefore, and such sales may be adjourned from time to time in
accordance with applicable law. Lender shall have the right to sell, lease or
otherwise dispose of the Collateral, or any part thereof, for cash, credit or
any combination thereof, and Lender may purchase all or any part of the
Collateral at public or, if permitted by law, private sale and, in lieu of
actual payment of such purchase price, may set off the amount of such price
against the Obligations. The proceeds realized from the sale of any Collateral
may be applied, after allowing two (2) Business Days for collection, first to
the costs, expenses and attorneys' fees incurred by Lender in collecting the
Obligations, in enforcing the rights of Lender under the Loan Documents and in
collecting, retaking, completing, protecting, removing, storing, advertising for
sale, selling and delivering any Collateral, second to the interest due upon any
of the Obligations; and third, to the principal of the Obligations. If any
deficiency shall arise, Parent, Borrower and each Guarantor shall remain jointly
and severally liable to Lender therefore.

             10.3.4 LICENSES. Lender is hereby granted a license or other right
to use, without charge, Borrower's labels, patents, copyrights, rights of use of
any name, trade secrets, tradenames, trademarks and advertising matter, or any
Property of a similar nature, as it pertains to the Collateral, in advertising
for sale and selling any Collateral and Borrower's rights under all licenses and
all franchise agreements shall inure to Lender's benefit. The Lender agrees not
to exercise its rights under such license until after the occurrence and
continuance of an Event of Default.

             10.3.5 SECURITY INTEREST IN DEPOSITS. Borrower hereby grants to
Lender, and each Participating Lender a lien, security interest and right of
setoff as security for all Obligations to Lender or to such Participating
Lender, whether now existing or hereafter arising, upon and against all
deposits, credits, Collateral or other Property, now or hereafter in the
possession, custody, safekeeping or control of Lender, any Participating Lender,
or any entity under the control of Fleet Financial Group, Inc., or in transit to
any of them. At any time, when an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is
continuing, without demand or notice, Lender and each Participating Lender may
set off the same or any part thereof or cause such set off to occur and apply
the same to any liability or obligation of Borrowers even though unmatured and
regardless of the adequacy of any other Collateral securing the Obligations. ANY
AND ALL RIGHTS TO REQUIRE LENDER OR ANY PARTICIPATING LENDER TO EXERCISE ITS
RIGHTS OR REMEDIES WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER COLLATERAL WHICH SECURES THE
OBLIGATIONS PRIOR TO EXERCISING ITS RIGHT OF SETOFF WITH RESPECT TO SUCH
DEPOSITS, CREDITS OR OTHER PROPERTY OF BORROWERS, ARE HEREBY KNOWINGLY,
VOLUNTARILY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVED.

                                       33
<PAGE>

         10.4 REMEDIES CUMULATIVE, NO WAIVER. All covenants, conditions,
provisions, warranties, guaranties indemnities, and other undertakings of Parent
or Borrower contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, or in any
document referred to herein or contained in any agreement supplementary hereto
or in any exhibit or schedule or in any Guaranty Agreement given to Lender or
contained in any other agreement between Lender and Parent, or between Lender
and Borrower, heretofore, concurrently, or hereafter entered into, shall be
deemed cumulative to and not in derogation or substitution of any of the terms,
covenants, conditions, or agreements of Parent or Borrower herein contained. The
failure or delay of Lender to require strict performance by Parent or Borrower
of any provision of this Agreement or to exercise or enforce any rights, Liens,
powers, or remedies hereunder or under any of the aforesaid agreements or other
documents or security or Collateral shall not operate as a waiver of such
performance, Liens, rights, powers and remedies, but all such requirements,
Liens, rights, powers, and remedies shall continue in full force and effect
until all Loans and all other Obligations owing or to become owing from Parent
or Borrower to Lender shall have been fully satisfied. None of the undertakings,
agreements, warranties, covenants and representations of Parent or Borrower
contained in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents and no Event of
Default by Borrower under this Agreement or any other Loan Documents shall be
deemed to have been suspended or waived by Lender, unless such suspension or
waiver is by an instrument in writing specifying such suspension or waiver and
is signed by a duly authorized representative of Lender and directed to
Borrower.

SECTION 11.       MISCELLANEOUS

         11.1 POWER OF ATTORNEY. Borrower hereby irrevocably designates, makes,
constitutes and appoints Lender (and all Persons designated by Lender) as
Borrower's true and lawful attorney (and agent-in-fact) and Lender, or Lender's
agent, may, without notice to Borrower and in either Borrower's or Lender's
name, but at the cost and expense of Borrower:

             11.1.1 ENDORSEMENTS. Endorse Borrower's name on any checks, notes,
acceptances, drafts, money orders or any other evidence of payment or proceeds
of the Collateral which come into the possession of Lender or under Lender's
control.

             11.1.2 OTHER ACTIONS. At such time or times upon or after the
occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default as Lender or its agent in its
sole discretion may determine: (i) demand payment of the Accounts from the
Account Debtors, enforce payment of the Accounts by legal proceedings or
otherwise, and generally exercise all of Borrower's rights and remedies with
respect to the collection of the Accounts; (ii) settle, adjust, compromise,
discharge or release any of the Accounts or other Collateral or any legal
proceedings brought to collect any of the Accounts or other Collateral; (iii)
sell or assign any of the Accounts and other Collateral upon such terms, for
such amounts and at such time or times as Lender deems advisable; (iv) take
control, in any manner, of any item of payment or proceeds relating to any
Collateral; (v) prepare, file and sign Borrower's name to a proof of claim in
bankruptcy or similar document against any Account Debtor or to any notice of
lien, assignment or satisfaction of lien or similar document in connection with
any of the Collateral; (vi) receive, open and dispose of all mail addressed to
Borrower and to notify postal authorities to change the address for delivery
thereof to such address as Lender may designate; (vii) endorse the name of
Borrower upon any of the items of payment or proceeds relating to any Collateral
and deposit the same to the account of


                                       34
<PAGE>

Lender on account of the Obligations; (viii) endorse the name of Borrower upon
any chattel paper, document, instrument, invoice, freight bill, bill of lading
or similar document or agreement relating to the Accounts, Inventory and any
other Collateral; (ix) use Borrower's stationery and sign the name of Borrower
to verifications of the Accounts and notices thereof to Account Debtors; (x) use
the information recorded on or contained in any data processing equipment and
computer hardware and software relating to the Accounts, Inventory, Equipment
and any other Collateral; (xi) make and adjust claims under policies of
insurance; and (xii) do all other acts and things necessary, in Lender's
determination, to fulfill Borrower's obligations under this Agreement.

         11.2 INDEMNITY. Parent and Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify Lender
and hold Lender harmless from and against any liability, loss, damage, suit,
action or proceeding ever suffered or incurred by Lender (including any claim
from any broker or similar Person for fees arising from this transaction and
reasonable attorneys fees and legal expenses) as the result of Parent's or
Borrower's failure to observe, perform or discharge Parent's or Borrower's
duties hereunder or in any way related to the Loan Documents or transactions
contemplated thereby. In addition, Parent and Borrower shall defend Lender
against and save it harmless from all claims of any Person with respect to the
Collateral or the Loan Documents or transactions contemplated thereby. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, these indemnities shall extend to any
claims asserted against Lender by any Person under any Environmental Laws or
similar laws by reason of Parent's, Borrower's or any other Person's failure to
comply with laws applicable to solid or hazardous waste materials or other toxic
substances. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Agreement, the
obligation of Parent and Borrower under this Section 11.2 shall survive the
payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

         11.3 MODIFICATION OF AGREEMENT, SALE OF INTEREST. This Agreement may
not be modified, altered or amended, except by an agreement in writing signed by
Lender and Borrower. The Borrower may not sell, assign or transfer any interest
in this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents, or any of the Obligations,
or any portion thereof, including, without limitation, Borrower's rights, title,
interests, remedies, powers, and duties hereunder or thereunder. Borrower hereby
consents to Lender's participation, sale, assignment, transfer or other
disposition, at any time or times hereafter, of this Agreement and any of the
other Loan Documents, or of any portion hereof or thereof, including, without
limitation, Lender's rights, title, interests, remedies, powers, and duties
hereunder or thereunder. In the case of an assignment, the assignee shall have,
to the extent of such assignment, the same rights, benefits and obligations as
it would if it were "Lender" hereunder and Lender shall be relieved of all
obligations hereunder upon any such assignments. Parent and Borrower agree that
they will use their best efforts to assist and cooperate with Lender in any
manner reasonably requested by Lender to effect the sale of participations in or
assignments of any of the Loan Documents or any portion thereof or interest
therein, including, without limitation, assisting in the preparation of
appropriate disclosure documents. Parent and Borrower further agree that Lender
may disclose credit and other information regarding Parent and Borrower, their
Subsidiaries and any Guarantor to any potential participant or assignee.

         11.4 SEVERABILITY. Wherever possible, each provision of this Agreement
shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by or
invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be


                                       35
<PAGE>

ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without
invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this
Agreement.

         11.5 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement, the Other Agreements and
the Security Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
successors and assigns of Borrower and Lender permitted under Section 11.3
hereof.

         11.6 CUMULATIVE EFFECT, CONFLICT OF TERMS. The provisions of the Other
Agreements and the Security Documents are hereby made cumulative with the
provisions of this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided herein or in any of
the other Loan Documents by specific reference to the applicable provision of
this Agreement, if any provision contained in this Agreement is in direct
conflict with, or inconsistent with, any provision in any of the other Loan
Documents, the provision contained in this Agreement shall govern and control.

         11.7 EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts,
each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original
and all of which counterparts taken together shall constitute but one and the
same instrument.

         11.8 NOTICE. Except as otherwise provided herein, all notices, requests
and demands to or upon a party hereto, to be effective, shall be in writing and
shall be sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, by
personal delivery against receipt, by overnight courier or by facsimile and,
unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to have been validly
served, given or delivered immediately when delivered against receipt, one
Business Day after deposit in the mail, postage prepaid, or with an overnight
courier or, in the case of facsimile notice, when sent, addressed as follows:

         If to a Lender:

         c/o Fleet Capital Corporation
         One Federal Street
         Boston, MA 02110
         Attn:  Mr. Ruben Klein
         Fax:  (617) 654-1167


         with a copy to:

         Goodwin Procter LLP
         Exchange Place
         53 State Street
         Boston, MA 02109
         Attn: Steven M. Ellis, P.C.
         Fax:  (617) 523-1231

                                       36
<PAGE>

         If to Parent or Borrower:

         Dawson, Inc.
         15 Southwest Park
         Westwood, MA  02090
         Attn: Dr. Richard Rowe
         Fax:  (781) 329-9875


         with a copy to:

         Bingham, Dana LLP
         150 Federal Street
         Boston, MA 02110
         Attn: Brian Keeler, Esq.
         Fax: (617) 951-8736

or to such other address as each party may designate for itself by notice given
in accordance with this Section 11.8; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any notice,
request or demand to or upon Lender pursuant to Sections 3 or 4 hereof shall not
be effective until received by Lender.

         11.9 LENDER'S CONSENT. Whenever Lender's consent is required to be
obtained under this Agreement, any of the Other Agreements or any of the
Security Documents as a condition to any action, inaction, condition or event,
Lender shall be authorized to give or withhold such consent in its sole and
absolute discretion and to condition its consent upon the giving of additional
collateral security for the Obligations, the payment of money or any other
matter.

         11.10 CREDIT INQUIRIES. Parent and Borrower hereby authorize and
permits Lender to respond to usual and customary credit inquiries from third
parties concerning Parent, Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries or any
Guarantor.

         11.11 TIME OF ESSENCE. Time is of the essence of this Agreement, the
Other Agreements and the Security Documents.

         11.12 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents,
together with all other instruments, agreements and certificates executed by the
parties in connection therewith or with reference thereto, embody the entire
understanding and agreement between the parties hereto and thereto with respect
to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements,
understandings and inducements, whether express or implied, oral or written.

         11.13 INTERPRETATION. No provision of this Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents shall be construed against or interpreted to the
disadvantage of any party hereto by any court or other governmental or judicial
authority by reason of such party having or being deemed to have structured or
dictated such provision.

         11.14 JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY. All Loans, made or issued hereunder
are made to or for the benefit of each Borrower. Each Borrower is jointly and
severally, directly and primarily liable for the full and indefeasible payment
when due and performance of all Obligations and for


                                       37
<PAGE>

the prompt and full payment and performance of all of the promises, covenants,
representations, and warranties made or undertaken by each Borrower under this
Agreement and Loan Documents and each Borrower agrees that such liability is
independent of the duties, obligations, and liabilities of each Borrower. In
furtherance of the foregoing, each Borrower jointly and severally, absolutely
and unconditionally guarantees to Lender and agrees to be liable for the full
and indefeasible payment and performance when due of all the Obligations. This
guarantee is a continuing guarantee, and shall apply to all Obligations whenever
arising.

         11.15 Surety Waivers and Consents.

                  (i) Each Borrower acknowledges that each is jointly and
         severally, unconditionally and absolutely, primarily and directly
         liable for the performance and payment of the obligations and, in full
         recognition of that fact, each Borrower consents and agrees that Lender
         may, at any time and from time to time, without notice or demand
         (except as provided in and in accordance with the terms of this
         Agreement), whether before or after any actual or purported
         termination, repudiation or revocation of this Agreement by each
         Borrower, and without affecting the enforceability or continuing
         effectiveness hereof as to each Borrower: (a) increase, extend, or
         otherwise change the time for payment; (b) accept new or additional
         instruments, documents, or agreements in exchange for or relative to
         any of the Loan Documents or the Obligations or any part thereof, (c)
         accept partial payments on the Obligations; (d) receive and hold
         additional security or guarantees for the Obligations or any part
         thereof; (e) release, recover, terminate, waive, abandon, fail to
         perfect, subordinate, exchange, substitute, transfer, or, after an
         Event of Default, enforce any Collateral, security or guarantees, and
         after an Event of Default, apply any Collateral or security and direct
         the order or manner of sale thereof as Lender in its sole and absolute
         discretion may determine; (f) release any Person from any personal
         liability with respect to the Obligations or any part thereof; (g)
         release on terms satisfactory to Lender or by operation of applicable
         laws or, after an Event of Default, liquidate or enforce any
         Obligations and any Collateral or security therefore or guaranty
         thereof in any manner, after an Event of Default, consent to the
         transfer of any Collateral or security and bid and purchase at any
         sale; or (h) consent to the merger, change, or any other restructuring
         or termination of the corporate existence of any Borrowers, and
         correspondingly restructure the Obligations, and any such merger,
         change, restructuring, or termination shall not affect the liability of
         any Borrower or the continuing effectiveness hereof, or the
         enforceability hereof with respect to all or any part of the
         Obligations.

                  (ii) Lender may enforce this Agreement independently as to
         each Borrower and independently if any other remedy or security Lender
         at any time may have or hold in connection with the Obligations, and it
         shall not be necessary for Lender to marshal assets in favor of any
         Borrower or to proceed upon or against or exhaust any Collateral or
         security or remedy before proceeding to enforce this Agreement. Each
         Borrower expressly waives any right to require Lender to marshal assets
         in favor of any Borrower or any guarantor of the obligations or to
         proceed against any Borrower and, after an Event of Default, agrees
         that Lender may proceed against any Borrower or any Collateral in such
         order as Lender shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion.

                                       38
<PAGE>

                  (iii) Lender may file a separate action or actions against any
         Borrower, whether such action is brought or prosecuted with respect to
         any security or against any guarantor of the Obligations, or whether
         any other Person is joined in any such action or actions.

                  (iv) Lender's rights hereunder shall be reinstated and
         revived, and the enforceability of this Agreement shall continue, with
         respect to any amount at any time paid on account of the Obligations
         which thereafter shall be required to be restored or returned by
         Lender, all as though such amount had not been paid. The rights of
         Lender created or granted herein and the enforceability of this
         Agreement at all times shall remain effective to cover the full amount
         of all the obligations even though the Obligations (including any part
         thereof or any Collateral, other security or guaranty therefore) may be
         or hereafter may become invalid or otherwise unenforceable as against
         any Borrower and whether or not any Borrower shall have any personal
         liability with respect thereto.

                  (v) Each Borrower expressly waives any and all defenses now or
         hereafter arising or asserted by reason of (a) any disability or other
         defense of any Borrower with respect to the Obligations; (b) the
         unenforceability or invalidity of any security or guaranty for the
         Obligations or the lack of perfection or continuing perfection of
         failure of priority of any security for the Obligations; (c) the
         cessation for any cause whatsoever of the liability of any Borrower
         (other than by reason of the full payment and performance of all
         Obligations as required herein); (d) any failure of Lender to marshal
         assets in favor of any Borrower; (e) any failure of Lender to give
         notice to any Borrower of sale or other disposition of Collateral or
         any defect in any notice that may be given in connection with any such
         sale or disposition of Collateral securing the Obligations; (f) any act
         or omission of Lender or others that directly or indirectly results in
         or aids the discharge or release of any Borrower or the Obligations or
         any security or guaranty therefore by operation of law or otherwise;
         (g) any law which provides that the obligation of a surety or guarantor
         must neither be larger in amount nor in other respects more burdensome
         than that of the principal or which reduces a surety's or guarantor's
         obligation in proportion to the principal obligation; (h) any failure
         of Lender to file or enforce a claim in any bankruptcy or other
         proceeding with respect to any Borrower, or (i) the avoidance of any
         lien or security interest in assets of any Borrower in favor of Lender
         for any reason. Until such time, if any, as all of the Obligations have
         been indefeasibly paid and performed in full and no portion of any
         commitment of Lender to Borrowers under any Loan Document remains in
         effect, each Borrower's indebtedness, claims and rights of subrogation,
         contribution, reimbursement, or indemnity against the other shall be
         fully and completely subordinated to the indefeasible repayment in full
         of the Obligations, and each Borrower expressly waives until such
         indefeasible payment any right to enforce any remedy that is now has or
         hereafter may have against any other Person and waives the benefit of,
         or any right to participate in, any Collateral now or hereafter held by
         Lender.

                  (vi) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each
         Borrower expressly waives and agrees not to assert, any and all
         defenses in their favor based upon an election of remedies by Lender
         which destroys, diminishes, or affects either


                                       39
<PAGE>

         subrogation rights and/or any rights to proceed against each other, or
         any party liable to Lender, for reimbursement, contribution, indemnity,
         or otherwise.

                  (vii) Each Borrower warrants and agrees that each of the
         waivers and consents set forth herein are made after consultation with
         legal counsel and with full knowledge of their significance and
         consequences, with the understanding that events giving rise to any
         defense or right waived may diminish, destroy, or otherwise adversely
         affect rights which each Borrower otherwise may have against each
         other, Lender, or others, or against Collateral, and that, under the
         circumstances, the waivers and consents herein given are not contrary
         to public policy or law. If any of the waivers or consents herein are
         determined to be contrary to any applicable law or public policy, such
         waivers and consents shall be effective to the maximum permitted by
         law.

         11.16 WAIVERS OF EVENTS OF DEFAULT. Lender, in its sole and absolute
discretion, may waive Events of Default hereunder. Any such waiver must be in
writing and will be limited to the specific Event of Default and period
identified in such waiver. To the extent Lender's rights or remedies are
predicated on the occurrence of an Event of Default and Lender has waived such
Event of Default, Lender will not exercise such rights or remedies. No waiver
will limit or diminish the rights and remedies of Lender with regard to any
other Default or Event of Default existing at such time or any Default or Event
of Default arising thereafter.

         11.17 GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO FORUM. THIS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN
NEGOTIATED, EXECUTED AND DELIVERED AT AND SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN MADE IN
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS: PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, THAT IF ANY OF THE COLLATERAL SHALL BE LOCATED IN ANY JURISDICTION
OTHER THAN THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, THE LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION
SHALL GOVERN THE METHOD, MANNER AND PROCEDURE FOR FORECLOSURE OF LENDER'S LIEN
UPON SUCH COLLATERAL AND THE ENFORCEMENT OF LENDER'S OTHER REMEDIES IN RESPECT
OF SUCH COLLATERAL TO THE EXTENT THAT THE LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION ARE
DIFFERENT FROM OR INCONSISTENT WITH THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF
MASSACHUSETTS. AS PART OF THE CONSIDERATION FOR NEW VALUE RECEIVED, AND
REGARDLESS OF ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE DOMICILE OR PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS OF
BORROWER OR LENDER, BORROWER HEREBY CONSENTS AND AGREES THAT THE UNITED STATES
DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, EASTERN DIVISION, SHALL HAVE
EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION TO HEAR AND DETERMINE ANY CLAIMS OR DISPUTES BETWEEN
BORROWER AND LENDER PERTAINING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR TO ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF
OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT. BORROWER EXPRESSLY SUBMITS AND CONSENTS IN ADVANCE
TO SUCH JURISDICTION IN ANY ACTION OR SUIT COMMENCED IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND
BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH BORROWER MAY HAVE BASED UPON LACK OF
PERSONAL JURISDICTION, IMPROPER VENUE OR FORUM NON CONVENIENS AND HEREBY
CONSENTS TO THE GRANTING OF SUCH LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RELIEF AS IS DEEMED
APPROPRIATE BY SUCH COURT. BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES


                                       40
<PAGE>

PERSONAL SERVICE OF THE SUMMONS, COMPLAINT AND OTHER PROCESS ISSUED IN ANY SUCH
ACTION OR SUIT AND AGREES THAT SERVICE OF SUCH SUMMONS, COMPLAINT AND OTHER
PROCESS MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL ADDRESSED TO BORROWER AT THE
ADDRESS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE DEEMED
COMPLETED UPON THE EARLIER OF BORROWER'S ACTUAL RECEIPT THEREOF OR 3 DAYS AFTER
DEPOSIT IN THE U.S. MAILS, PROPER POSTAGE PREPAID. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT
SHALL BE DEEMED OR OPERATE TO AFFECT THE RIGHT OF LENDER TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS
IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW, OR TO PRECLUDE THE ENFORCEMENT BY LENDER
OF ANY JUDGMENT OR ORDER OBTAINED IN SUCH FORUM OR THE TAKING OF ANY ACTION
UNDER THIS AGREEMENT TO ENFORCE SAME IN ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE FORUM OR
JURISDICTION.

         11.18 WAIVERS BY BORROWER. BORROWER WAIVES (i) THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY
JURY (WHICH LENDER HEREBY ALSO WAIVES) IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, PROCEEDING OR
COUNTERCLAIM OF ANY KIND ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS,
THE OBLIGATIONS OR THE COLLATERAL; (ii) PRESENTMENT, DEMAND AND PROTEST AND
NOTICE OF PRESENTMENT, PROTEST, DEFAULT, NON PAYMENT, MATURITY, RELEASE,
COMPROMISE, SETTLEMENT, EXTENSION OR RENEWAL OF ANY OR ALL COMMERCIAL PAPER,
ACCOUNTS, CONTRACT RIGHTS, DOCUMENTS, INSTRUMENTS CHATTEL PAPER AND GUARANTIES
AT ANY TIME HELD BY LENDER ON WHICH BORROWER MAY IN ANY WAY BE LIABLE AND HEREBY
RATIFIES AND CONFIRMS WHATEVER LENDER MAY DO IN THIS REGARD; (iii) NOTICE PRIOR
TO TAKING POSSESSION OR CONTROL OF THE COLLATERAL OR ANY BOND OR SECURITY WHICH
MIGHT BE REQUIRED BY ANY COURT PRIOR TO ALLOWING LENDER TO EXERCISE ANY OF
LENDER'S REMEDIES; (iv) THE BENEFIT OF ALL VALUATION, APPRAISEMENT AND EXEMPTION
LAWS; AND (v) NOTICE OF ACCEPTANCE HEREOF. BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE
FOREGOING WAIVERS ARE A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO LENDER'S ENTERING INTO THIS
AGREEMENT AND THAT LENDER IS RELYING UPON THE FOREGOING WAIVERS IN ITS FUTURE
DEALINGS WITH BORROWER. BORROWER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED
THE FOREGOING WAIVERS WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL AND HAS KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY
WAIVED ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. IN THE
EVENT OF LITIGATION, THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL
BY THE COURT.

                            [Signature Page Follows]



                                       41
<PAGE>


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Loan and Security Agreement has been duly executed in
on the day and year specified at the beginning of this Agreement.


                                   BORROWER
                                   DAWSON, INC.


/s/ Cecilia Chen                   By: /s/ Richard R.Rowe
----------------------                 ----------------------------------------
Witness                            Name:  Dr. Richard R. Rowe
                                   Title: President

                                   THE FAXON COMPANY, INC.


/s/ Cecilia Chen                   By: /s/ Richard R.Rowe
----------------------                 ----------------------------------------
Witness                            Name:  Dr. Richard R. Rowe
                                   Title: President

                                   THE TURNER SUBSCRIPTION AGENCY, INCORPORATED


/s/ Cecilia Chen                   By: /s/ Richard R.Rowe
-----------------------                ----------------------------------------
Witness                            Name:  Dr. Richard R. Rowe
                                   Title: President

                                   MCGREGOR SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE, INC.


/s/ Cecilia Chen                   By: /s/ Richard R.Rowe
-----------------------                ----------------------------------------
Witness                            Name:  Dr. Richard R. Rowe
                                   Title: President

                                   CORPORATE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES INC.


/s/ Cecilia Chen                   By: /s/ Richard R.Rowe
-----------------------                ----------------------------------------
Witness                            Name:  Dr. Richard R. Rowe
                                   Title: President

                                       42

<PAGE>


                                    DAWSON INFORMATION QUEST, INC.


/s/ Cecilia Chen                    By: /s/ Richard R. Rowe
------------------------                ---------------------------------------
Witness                             Name:  Dr. Richard R. Rowe
                                    Title: President

                                    PARENT

                                    ROWECOM INC.


/s/ Cecilia Chen                    By: /s/ Richard R.Rowe
------------------------                ---------------------------------------
Witness                             Name:  Dr. Richard R. Rowe
                                    Title: President

                                    Accepted in Boston, Massachusetts

                                    LENDER

                                    FLEET CAPITAL CORPORATION


/s/ Christine Flattery              By: /s/ Ruben Klein
------------------------                ---------------------------------------
Witness                             Name:  Ruben Klein
                                    Title: Senior Vice President


                                       43
<PAGE>


Appendix A        General Definitions

Exhibit A         Form of Revolving Credit Note

Exhibit B         Form of Compliance Certificate

Exhibit C         Form of Officer's Certificate

Schedule 7.1.1    Jurisdictions in which Parent, Borrower and each their
                  Subsidiaries are Authorized to do Business

Schedule 7.1.4    Capital Structure of Parent, Borrower and each of their
                  Subsidiaries

Schedule 7.1.5    Corporate Names

Schedule 7.1.6    Parent's, Borrower's and each of their Subsidiary's Business
                  Locations

Schedule 7.1.16   Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Licenses

Schedule 7.1.19   Contracts Restricting Borrower's Right to Incur Debts

Schedule 7.1.20   Litigation

Schedule 7.1.22   Capitalized Leases/Operating Leases

Schedule 7.1.23   Pension Plans

Schedule 7.1.25   Labor Contracts

Schedule 7.1.26   Environmental Matters

Schedule 8.2.4    Affiliate Transactions

Schedule 8.2.5    Permitted Liens

Schedule 8.2.15   Bank Accounts

Schedule 8.2.19   Restrictive Agreements