The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 282: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

' knees, and buried his face in his hands. He was exerting all his power to tranquillizse his mind suffi- THE MYSTERIVS OF TKR COUB®. 260 of his client to ake sach tremendous sacrifices in | at once write you a cheque, and you can hand order to elicit revelations from my lips.” over to My. Armytage the securities which you “True |” ejapulated the Duke of Marchmont, | hold.” clutching with a species of feverish joy at this} The lawyer was of course utterly unable to offer hope. “But that client—who is he ?” any objection to this proceeding; and adding up “I know not, my lord,” rejamed Armytage: | the oa he peel tha eemee the interest and exe “his name has never been mentioned to me; nor the paper epesifying the total to to my knowledge have I ever seen him. But no Marchmont. Hie Grace glanced matter! If the lawyer, remain in ignorance, the anxious to have client must be edually iggorent——" oil bes s fad of paper “And you, Armytage,” said the Duke,—™ | engaged, gow maintain the seal of secrecy upon your lips if w lethon to" BE Cole. I make this enormous sacrifice on your behalf?’ “For how many years, my lord, have I already kept that secret?” asked the epeculator: “end think you it is a secret which I should willingly vevealP Think you, in a word, it would foe me to proclaim to the world that I hage so ren- dered myself an accomplice, as it were—yes, an a0- eomplice by my very silence——~” “Knough, Armytage!” ejaculated Duke of Marchmont. “TI will do all that is What- scever they proposee——” , “The items may sood be summed up,” said Armytage. “Seventy thousand pound§ to be paid to this lawyer—Zooe’s lost fortune of sixty thou- sand to be replaced—that makes a hundred and thirty thousand. Thep say twenty thousand for myself-——” ~ “A hundred and fifty thousand pounds!” ex- claimed the Duke: “the sacrifice is immense! Nevertheless, it shall be accomplished. Let us| second compose ourselves—let us calm our feelings, if pos- sible |” Marchmont sat down, rested bis elbows on his ciently to meet the lawyer and terminate the busi- ness. Armytage had far less difficulty in com- posing his own countenance: fog there was now joy in his heart—hbe was to be rescued from all his embarrgssments, and without the dreaded alterna- tive of having to make any revelation whatsoever, “ Now let us rejoin the lawyer,” ssid the Duke of Marchmont, at length rising from his seats bus as he withdrew his hands from his countenance, Armytage perceived that the traces of a recent convulsing agony remained thereupon. They issued forth together from the room; and Armytage tapped at the door of Mr. Ooleman’s private apartment opposite. This gentleman at once opened that door; and the two passed in. ‘Mr, Ooleman,” said the Duke of Marchmont, with an almost preterhuman exertion to maintain his composure, “ my friend Mr. Armytage has con- sulted me in respect to his affairs: be has enume- rated all his lisbilities—and I feel inclined to assist him. Of course you yourself will rejoice that the | mont, as the frightful conviction flashed to his matter is to be thus terminated in a way which | mind that the ruined speculetor was now com- will restore your cliené all the money he has ad- | pletely in the power of the attorney and his us vanced,” known client. >» “Mr, Armytage is of course the best judge of/ At the same moment hasty footsteps were heard his own affairs, my lord,” replied Mr. Ooleman, | ascending the stairs: the door was burst opea— with a true professional coldness and gravity, | and three other persons appeared upom the seene, though inwardly he was supremely annoyed at the turn that circumstances were thus taking. “I believe, Mr. Coleman,” proceeded the Duke or Marchimont, * shat your- ag demand upoa . Armytage is some seventy thousand pounds. bat if yeu will give me the precise amount, I wil: |" possession, are for- geries—and you, Me. Armytage, have been guilty of a felon’s crime |” Ie was @ cry of anguish which rang from the lips of Arm the same time that an ejacu- lation of diamay bares from the Duke of Maroh- bbe Fe Ee ee ee ED ® @ Que eepeeae «& COMIC OOO© SS (CO)