The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 356: what you’re looking at

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

THE LISTENER 320 ‘And what is it?’’ asked the duke. ‘‘ Why, it is but six or seven months ago since I did all you required me in a certain matter,” thus significantly alluding to the impulse which he had given to the courtship of Octavian Meredith in respect to the beautiful Zoe. “Tam perfectly sensible, my lord,” responded Armytage, “‘ of all your great kindness on that occasion, and I can assure you that nothing but the sternest necessity would bring me hither as a supplant for an additional proof of your generosity and friendship.” ‘On my soul, this language of yours, Armytage,”’ said the duke, curtly, “‘ is foreboding of a demand of no ordinary magnitude.” : “It is an affair of magnitude to myself,’’ rejoined Zoe’s father, ‘‘ but of very trifling consideration to your Grace.”’ “Well, hasten and come to the point,” said the duke, ** for I have business to attend to elsewhere.” t ‘“‘ This, then, is the point, my lord,’ resumed Armytage. “I am in immediate need of fifty thousand pounds.” “ Fifty thousand pounds? ’’ echoed Marchmont,. and his voice, to Christian’s ears, sounded as if it were expressive of a perfect consternation... “Nothing more nor less, my lord,’’ responded Armytage, with a decisiveness which was far more astonishing to young Ashton. ‘‘ But this 1s ridiculous,”’ cried the duke. ‘‘ You — a rich ‘““ Have the kindness to hear me, my lord,” interrupted the speculator. ‘“‘ Some three months back — or nearly so —a certain person in whom I had the utmost faith de- camped suddenly, leaving his own affairs in such a frightful condition that a fiat of bankruptcy was issued against him. He has not surrendered to that fiat; indeed. he has never since been heard of, and so completely ruined was he — or else so effectually did he realize his available funds, and thereby defraud his creditors — that there is not a shilling in the pound to divide amongst them. But this is not all. He committed forgeries to the amount of thirty thousand pounds, and unfortunately all those forged bills have passed through my hands. My name is upon them; they will be due to-morrow, and the holders will look to me for the liquidation thereof. But in addition to those forged bills, ) COUN a LOOKS (GO)