The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 170: what you’re looking at

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

THE LAWYER 147 you would be certain to have actions for false imprisonment brought against you.” ‘“ And what do I care?” exclaimed the baronet. ‘I have the means of paying the damages.”’ “True, my dear sir,”’ rejoined the lawyer, “‘ but you have not the means of preventing the scandal. Excuse me, but, as you are aware, though I never saw the lady until this evening, it is no secret to me that Mrs. Oxenden was your mistress some years ago; doubtless Mr. Beverley is equally sensible of this fact, and you know, my dear Sir John, it would not be pleasant if the world came to know that you had married the sister of your former paramour. Come, do be reasonable. You are a man of sound sense, of great intelligence, though a trifle hasty perhaps — and it would be well to treat this matter with prudence and policy.” ‘““ What course do you recommend?” asked the baronet. “In plain terms, all I want to do is to keep this nephew of mine fast until after the marriage knot is tied, for between you and me, Andrews, I don’t mind admitting that if I set him free to-night, and though it is settled that the beautiful Laura is to be mine before to-morrow’s noon, yet in the meanwhile — ” “T understand, Sir John,” interjected the lawyer; ‘‘ your nephew is so desperately enamoured of the young lady that he would even set fire to the very house with the chance of being enabled to carry her off in the scramble. Well, well, but there is still a means of settling the affair amicably. What should you say to allowing your nephew five hundred a year, if he would sign a paper renouncing all pretension to the hand of Miss Hall, and if he would immediately after- ward take himself off to join his regiment at Brighton? You were going to make the two hundred a year a permanent settlement; it is only flinging in three hundred more, and what is that to a man of wealth such as you are? ”’ “But of what earthly use,” inquired the baronet, petu- lantly, “is a document of the nature you mention? He may sign it as a stratagem to procure his freedom, — and the stu- pid adage is, you know, that all stratagems are allowable in love as well as in war.” “This is the use,’ rejoined Mr. Andrews; “ that you can display the document to Miss Hall; she will at once perceive that Mr. Beverley’s worldly interests ride para- COMMICLOO© SS (CO)