The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 169: what you’re looking at

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

146 REYNOLDS’ WORKS the zeal which he had thus displayed, and as he had come to take up his temporary quarters at Verner House, the vehicle which he had hired to bring him from the railway- station was at once dismissed. Having been introduced to Mrs. Oxenden, the lawyer was conducted to the drawing- room, where the baronet hastily explained to him the position of affairs in respect to Edgar Beverley and Christian. Mrs. Oxenden temporarily quitted the room in order to revisit her sister, and when the door closed behind her, the lawyer drew his chair nearer to that occupied by the baronet, at the same time observing, ‘ This is a nasty business, Sir John, a very nasty business, and you must manage it with great delicacy. Pray excuse me, but — ”’ ‘What do you mean?” inquired the baronet. ‘“ Is it all right about the deed breaking off the entail and thereby disinheriting my gracious nephew? ”’ ‘“‘ All right, my dear sir,’’ responded the lawyer, with a smile half-obsequious, half-professionally significant. ‘‘ It is amongst these papers here,’ and he pointed to the docu- ments which lay before him upon the table. ‘“‘ Then let me sign it at once,’”’ exclaimed the old baronet, in his greedy haste thus to avenge himself upon the nephew whom he detested. “ Softly, softly, Sir John!” said the lawyer. ‘ With all due deference, the matter cannot be settled in such a railway speed. I am bound to read the document over to you — ” ‘‘ Nonsense! nonsense!’ ejaculated the baronet. ‘“‘ We can dispense with all formalities — ”’ “But, my dear Sir John,” again interposed the attorney, — and it was with another obsequious smile, — “ the docu- ment must be attested by competent witnesses. Now, pray listen to me. Here are all the deeds, — marriage-settlements, draft of will, and everything that you have ordered, but do let them stand over until we have first discussed the affair which seems to press with the most importance.” ‘““ Well, well,” said the baronet, ‘‘ no doubt you are right, and, after all, something must be done at once in respect to this scapegrace of a nephew of mine and his friend.” “Pardon me for appearing to dictate, my dear Sir John,”’ resumed Mr. Andrews, ‘‘ but you really must not treat the matter magisterially. It would perhaps be all the better for me,’ he went on to observe, with a chuckle, “ because CORNICOOKS (E(0)