The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 301: what you’re looking at

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

268 THE COURT OF LONDON earl. “‘ It was ten days ago that I met you in Nicholas Lane, and you promised me — ”’ “Yes, my lord, I promised to call, it is true,’’ said Theo- dore, ‘‘ but when I explain to your lordship the reasons which have hitherto delayed me, I am certain to obtain your lordship’s forgiveness.’’ “Speak, then, young man,’ hear what you have to say.” “When I met your lordship in the City, ten days ago,” proceeded Theodore, ‘‘ Il was about to call on the villain Emmerson and overwhelm him with reproaches. I entered the office, I forced myself into the presence of that man who has been my mortal enemy. On beholding me he quailed; his iron nerves gave way; his rigid features relaxed; he was afraid. Oh, it was guilt trembling in the presence of outraged, persecuted innocence! Then did I overwhelm him with a torrent of invectives, or, rather, with a flood of reproaches. He was, of course, previously aware that I had received a full pardon; he knew therefore that I had found powerful friends, and doubtless he thought it more politic to conciliate me than to take the high tone and eject me from his office. He accordingly bade me sit down, and begged me to talk the matter calmly over with him. It instantaneously struck me that he meant not merely to make his peace with me, but to invite me to resume my situation in his employment. I accordingly affected to grow calmer; J sat down and listened to what he had to say. He began by declaring how sorry he was that he should have gone to such lengths against me, and expressed his readiness to make all possible amends for his harshness. I let him know that it was through the kindness of Sir Douglas Huntingdon I obtained my pardon, for that gentleman indeed was the author of 1t — ”’ ‘Ah! Sir Douglas? ”’ exclaimed Curzon. ‘‘ He is an inti- mate friend of mine.” ‘‘ And he is my benefactor,’ said Theodore. ‘“ However, to make a long story short, my lord,’’ he continued, “* I must inform you that when Mr. Emmerson heard who was my influential patron, he seemed more than ever contrite for his past behaviour, and said that if I considered his taking me back into his service would be the means of establishing a complete retrieval of my character, he would cheerfully ) said Curzon, ‘‘ and let me Eomicbooks (elo) mn