The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 47: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER III THE LAWYER’S OFFICE THE scene shifts to a lawyer’s office in Bedford Row, Hol- born. The name of Mr. Coleman was upon the door-post, and that he was in a very flourishing way of business might be judged from the fact that he kept numerous clerks, that the carriages of wealthy clients were often seen stopping at his door, that the tin cases of his own private room con- tained deeds of immense value and importance, of which he was the custodian, and that his account at his banker’s was always one which rendered him a valuable customer. Mr. Coleman had not as yet reached the prime of life; he was intelligent and active, and he bore an unblemished character. | It was about three o’clock in the afternoon that Mr. Red- cliffe entered the clerks’ office, and inquired if Mr. Coleman were disengaged. By the respectful manner in which the query was answered, and by the alacrity with which one of the clerks hastened to conduct Mr. Redcliffe up-stairs to the lawyer’s room, it might be judged that the visitor was a client of no insignificant importance. Mr. Coleman received him with the utmost respect, and when the clerk had retired, the man of business said, ‘‘ I expected you, Mr. Redcliffe. It is for to-day. And let me hope that the result will be as you have expected, and that the time is not far distant when I shall be enabled to address you by another name.”’ ‘“‘ Heaven grant that it may be so!” replied Mr. Redcliffe; and then, as an expression of the deepest anxiety, and even of intense anguish, passed over his countenance, he added, ‘““ Oh, this species of unnatural warfare which I am waging — it rends my heart! ” 30 CONIIE OC gs) (E(0)