The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 380: what you’re looking at

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

THE SPONGING - HOUSE 363 for everything at present appeared to him a matter of life or death. - Footsteps ascended the stairs; then a key turned in the lock of his door. It was opened, and a visitor entered. “ Varian! ’’ said Emmerson, his heart sinking within him as he encountered the look of his ex-clerk. Then staggering to his seat, he all in a moment felt the necessity of becoming civil, nay, even servile, cringing, and grovelling to that man whom he knew to be the arbiter of his destiny. It was difficult to gather from Varian’s look the mood ; in which he was toward his imprisoned master. The young man’s countenance was fixed and almost passionless; it might have augured a relenting sorrow for Emmerson’s fallen condition, or it might equally as well have betokened a cold implacability. All this the miserable captive saw at a glance, and he caught greedily at the ray of hope which pointed to the former. Yet it was hoping in desperation’s despite, for deep and dark was the misgiving which at the same time struck to Emmerson’s soul. “TI come, sir,’ said Varian, in a voice the accents of which were as dubious as his looks, leaving nothing of his humour or intent to be gathered from them, “‘ I come, sir, from your detaining creditor, who, as I told you on the night of your arrest, left the matter entirely in my hand.” “Yes, yes, Mr. Varian, I know what you said, I recollect it full well,” interrupted Emmerson, quivering with nervous excitement. ‘‘ Well, and you have recommended him to be mereiful? You— you —”’ “ Be pleased, sir, to listen to me,” said Varian. “I have come to deliver myself of a message, and likewise to address you in a few words relative to some little matters concerning which I think you ought to be enlightened.”’ ‘Yes, but the message from the creditor, the message, the message? ’’ repeated Emmerson, absolutely pitiable in his unmanned nervousness and the abject impatience of his suspense. ‘Permit me to preface what I am about to say on the creditor’s behalf with a few observations on my own ac- count,’’ and thus speaking, Theodore Varian seated himself in a chair with the cool deliberation of one who is not only resolved to perform a particular part, but also to take his own time in doing it. CORNICLOOL <S (C(O)