The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 171: what you’re looking at

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

148 REYNOLDS’ WORKS mount over his love, and the natural pride of woman will induce her to discard him from her heart for ever.”’ “On my soul, this is capital!’ ejaculated Sir John Steward, clutching at the idea the moment that it was fully expounded to him. ‘“‘ Why, my dear Andrews, you are as well versed in love-affairs as you are in those of the law. But what course do you mean to adopt? ”’ ‘Will you be guided by me, Sir John?” asked the at- torney. | “To be sure! to be sure! You are managing matters so well — ”’ ‘Then let us have Mr. Beverley up here at once. He must be alone with us, — the servants can wait outside the draw- ing-room door,— and I dare say the windows are high enough to prevent an escape. Shall I ring the bell? ”’ Sir John Steward nodded an assent; the bell was rung, a servant answered the summons, the order was given, and in a couple of minutes Edgar Beverley was introduced to the drawing-room. The baronet strove to render the expression of his countenance as sternly grave as possible, as he bade the domestics retire but wait on the landing outside; Edgar advanced into the room with a dignified demeanour, and took a seat some distance from the table. “This gentleman,” said Sir John Steward, “is Mr. An- drews, my solicitor, and he is desirous of having some little conversation with you.” ‘Then, as a gentleman versed in the law,” at once ob- served Edgar, addressing himself to the attorney, “ you will perhaps inform Sir John Steward that it may be dangerous to keep my friend Mr. Ashton any longer in the custody of a set of lackeys, for what he has helped me to do — or rather to attempt — here this evening can be justified by every principle of rectitude and honour.”’ “There will be no harm, Mr. Beverley,’ replied the solicitor, “‘in your friend remaining a few minutes longer in his present position, inasmuch as I hope that you will both very shortly go away together in freedom and in peace, as the result of the discourse I am about to hold with you.”’ ‘* Proceed, sir,” said Edgar, coldly. ‘My dear sir,’’ resumed Mr. Andrews, with a bland smile, “you cannot possibly entertain any animosity against me. ‘If you ‘do, I am sorry for it. But let us come to the point. ’ ECORNICIOOKS (C(O)