The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 203: what you’re looking at

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196 eare, however, in all his proceedings, to avoid en- tangling himself with the criminal law. If his forma appeared to have been shrivelled up in the close and heated atmosphere of a City-office, his soul was assuredly tanned, and and in- durated, so as to be perfectly inaccoasible ta every generous or proper feeling: it was to the amenitios of life, and susceptible only of ideas connected with sordid gain. “Well,” cried Saxondale, adopting an air of flippant gaicty, which he was ever wont to mis- take for well-bred ease, as he entered into the usurer’s presence,—“ I am come to see you again :” —and he flung himself upon a seat with an air of dissipated languor. “What has procured me the honour of your lordship’s visit P* in inquired Musters: and it struck Edmund that his manner was cold and distant. “I want you to write me a cheque for fifteen hundred, or eo,” he responded; “and you shall have my promissory note.” “ Very sorry, my lord—but it can’t be done,” said the old man: and then he compressed his lips with decisive firmness over his toothless gums. “How do you mean—can’t be done?” ejacu- lated Edmund. “ ’t you but very lately trust me to the amount of four thousand pounds? and didn’t Marlow and Malton settle with you ?” “ Well, my lord, they settled after « fashion,” Musters: “they made me strike off a con- siderable amount.” “Oh, all stuff and nonsense!” cried Edmund : “ there was plenty of margin left for your profits, Ill be bound. And then, what’s more, you got |i ready money instead of having to wait till I came of age.” “Yes—but Messrs. Marlow and Malton will not be disposed to settle your lordship’s debts again,” said the old man, now speaking almost doggedly. “And if they don’t, eha’n’t I be of age in eighteen months? and you will of course calculate interest and commission, and all that sort of thing, accordingly. Comte, I want fifteen hundred to-day very indeed ; and I will give you a bill fora couple of thousand.” “I would rather decline, my lord,” answered Musters firmly. “But why? This is not treating me well. I know you have got plenty of money: so there’s no excuse of that sort. Come now, there's a good fellow—take out your cheque-book :”—and Lord Saxondale céndescended to adopt a coaxing and tone with the old usurer. * Once for all, my lord, J cannot tw not :” —and the money-lender, throwing himself back in his chair, assumed a look of sternest decision. “ But what's your reason P” demanded Saxon- dale, who scarcely thought that the money-lender, whom on former occasions, during his connexion with Emily Archer, he had found so pliant, could now prove completely inflexible: “what’s the reason, I say? Am I not es well able to pay as I was some few months ago >” “J don’t know, my lord—I don’t know,” an- ewered Musters mysteriously. “ At all events, I “But I must and will know what is the reason,” exclaimed Saxondale, really alarmed: and all the vague terrors which had been previously haunting THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. him, came back with renewed force into his mind. “There is you know it is safe; and you tome. Come, why don’t you speak? If you have got anythmg in your mind, I wish you would out with it at once.” “TI would rather not give any explanstions, my lord,” was the usurer’s curt response. “Well, I suppose the fact of the matter is,” cried Saxondale, nervous and agitated, and full of thing in thi marriag® of mine that you don’t like P’—and it “Since you Musters, “I must candidly confess that you have stated the exact truth.” “But what the deuce has my marriage got to do with the business I propose to you ?” demanded Saxondale, in a vehement manner. “Simply this, my lord,” rejoined Musters : “that if your relations and friends should take it into their heads to lock you up in a lunatie- asylum for ing contracted such a what would become of any money I might lend you P”’ Edmund—the wretehed Edmund—~ssnk back for supposing that it may. But this I do know—that where persons have a great deal of property, cither up; and heaven knows you have done enough to induce any two physicians to pronounce you mad a dozen times over. However, it’s no business of mine; and I should not have said so much, had you not pressed me. And now, my lord, as my time is precious,” added old Musters, looking at his watch, “ you will excuse mie.” _ Baxondale rose from his seat—and without utter- ing a word, quitted the room. He felt as if he wore in a dream—not merely a dream, but in the midst of a hideous night-mare. There wae a stunning and sensation in his brain : he felt that his position was a dreadful one —but beyond this he had not the power to reflect deliberately upon it. Mec did he re-enter the hackney-coach ; and three times did the driver ask whither he was to proceed, ere Saxondale gave him any answer. Then, in a mood of desperation, he said, “To the office of Marlow and Malton, Parliament Street.” eres (COL (C DOO CS (COL