The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 4 — page 153: what you’re looking at

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

a tr Le a Pi eer pps apg gat eee a, gee mwah &§ wig aoe ————— 1 aiers 140 . TRE was iu that condition which is most friendly to the degigns of Satan—most favourable to the tempta- tions in which the Evil One seeks to ensnare frail humanity: Accordingly, Emmersgn put the bill inte his pocket. book; and issuing, forth, paused in the frout office to say, “ Well, Mr. Varian, it is time to lock up. Be here early in the morning, as we shall then vo over the Duoks together.” With these words the bill-broker took his de- parture, hugging the idea that his intention was totally unsuspected by his clerk: but had he seen the strange expression which passed over Varian’s countenance the instant the door closed behind him, he would not have felt so happy@or so con- fident in the course which he was pursuing. ‘ Proceeding straight to his bankers, he entered the spacious establisihment—one of those which are said to render Lombard Street the richest in the world. Without pgusing at the counter, he passed straight on to the private parlour; and there, in an off-hand manner and with his usual tone of confidence, he handed the bill to one of the partners, requestiug that it might be discounted. The demand was promptly complied with: Emmer- son received the money, aud sallied forth from the bank. He then returned to bis office, which Theodore Varian had in the meantime quitted— but only to keep watch upon his master and dog hia movements. . Procurivg the key from the hoysekeeper who had charge of the chambers, Eimmerson was cnabled to penetrate into the offices ; and shuthng himse f up in his private rovm, he went carefully over his papers—destroying a great number, and retaining a few which ho believed to be necessary or useful for his future purposes. It did net strike him that Editha’s letter had been ab- siracted: now that so miny grave and important matters pressed upon his attention, he did not even recollect that be had placed auy one of her letters in his writing-desk. It was about seven o'clock in the evening when Emmerson issued forth again from his chambers, —thinking to himsedf that he was bidding them farewell for ever. At that moment he experienced asad and painful tightening at the heart. ‘Not that he thought of the wife and dauyhter whom ‘he had resolved to leave behind him aud abandon to poverty and all its attendant evils:—no, it w of lost position that he thought su regretfully— and he inwardly cursed himself for having allowed extravagance and folly thus to hurl him from the pedestal of that happiness which, accerding to the fashion of his own mind, he had at one time created. Entering a hackney-soach near the Mansion House, he ordered the driver to take him ‘to the Bull and Mouth, Piccadilly. That establishment was at tae time of which we are writing, and for many years afterwards— until the Genius of Steam wove its web of railways over the surface uf the land—the great central point whence sterted inau- soarable coaches for all parts of England. “Thither it was that Mr. Emmerson now repaired: and thither also was he c'oscly followed by Theodore But the young man was not now alone: he had two persons with him—unone others indeed, than Mr, Moses ikey and his man Tom. On arriving at the Ball and Mouth, Mr. Eviver- cn 4 MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. ° son alighted—dismiesed the hackney-coach—en- tered the office—and was making some inquiries at the counter relative to the stages to Liverpool, when he felt a hand suddenly Jaid upon his shoulder. He startéd es if it were the touch of Death—started as if the invisible fingers of the Destroyer had suddenly sent an ice-chill pene- trating through his frame: and tuening quickly round, he beheld himself face to face with Theodore Varian. .s Not a’ word did he utter: for he saw in a rmaoment that be was lost. The thunder-clap of doom sounded as it were upon his ear; and he know that he was betrayed as indubitably as if the young man had already proclaimed the fact from his lips! Bésides, those ominous countenances that peered over Varian’s shoulders—Emmeraon knew them well: for Mr. Moses Ikey and his man Jom had been the instraments'of many and many a bitter persecution waged by the bill-broker against poor wretehes who were unable to meet his usurious demands ! “You thought to escape ?” said Varian, in a low hoarse tone, full of concentrated passion, and fixing a look of inexorable bitternesa upon the falien man : -“ but you are mistaken “Stand aside, sir,’ exclaimed Emmerson, now suddenly ering the faculty of afeech as a ray of hope flashed upon his mind: for in the first place it was evident that the fergery had not been dis- covered, or else they would be oriminal and‘ not, civil officers who had come to arrest him; and in the second place, if the writ held by Mr. Ikey was fora sum which Emmerson could pay, as.fe had nearly two thousand pounds about his person, he might yet get clear off in apite of TheSdore Varian. “Now, Mr. Ikey,” he said, dawing the Jew aside and spéaking in a low tone, so as nut to be over- heard by the clerks and other persona transacting business in the coach-office,—“ what claim have you againet me ?” “Three thousand four hundred,” Theodore has- tened to observe, his voice sounding ominous as that of doom over Emmerson’s shoulder. “I per- suaded your largest crediter to do it: and if you can pay that amount, thea [ am very much mis- taken.” _ “Gree tousand four hundred guinish ish de sum,” asid Mr. Ikey, corroborating Theodore’s statement, “and my expénshea ish a mere trifle, Mishter Em- mershon. You know as well as mosht men what ish de expenshes in dese matters :”—and Mr. Ikey gave,a coatse fumiliar grin. “ But come, let’s step inte de public-honsh elosh by, end talk it over,” “Tt is of no use,” interjected Theodore, sternly. “Let him pay the:money, Mr. Ikey, or go to prison. You know that I represent the creditor in this in- stance.” “Dish de truth wot he say, Mishter Emmershon,” observed the sheriff's officer, in an ominous under- tone, af mnuoh ae.to imply that he could show no merey even if be were inclined. . Paie and trembling, the wretched Enameston was utlerly ‘agéble to conceal the horrible slarma that were wow torturing him: for he saw that if he were plunged inte a-debtor’s prison, it would only be with the certainty gf removal in g short time.to Newgate, when ‘the forgery should be discovered. But the wry desperation of his case suddenly inapired him with a last hope; and in a quick anxious voice, hie aa a eee a a CONNIE OOO cS) CO