The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 50: what you’re looking at

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

THE LAWYER’S OFFICE od ‘ And the evidence which you have to bring forward? ”’ asked Mr. Coleman. ‘What evidence can be better than that the depraved woman is living under the protection of the Duke of March- mont? He has taken a house for her, he has supplied her with equipages, with horses and servants, he visits her fre- quently — ”’ ‘Tf all this can be proved, it is sufficient,’ interrupted Mr. Coleman. ‘‘I will make notes of the information you now give me, I will institute inquiries, and if you will favour me with another call in a day or two, I shall be better enabled to give you my opinion upon the case.”’ Mr. Oxenden accordingly took his departure, and imme- diately afterward Mr. Armytage was announced. Though Zoe’s father was not above fifty-two years of age, yet he looked older, for care and anxiety had traced upon his coun- tenance the marks of their ravages. His hair was com- pletely gray, there were deep lines upon his forehead, and that expression of cold, worldly-minded calculation which his features had been wont to wear had become subdued, or we should perhaps say had changed into one of settled wretchedness. He entered the office with the mingled nerv- ousness and humility of a man who was very far from being in a condition to pay a large sum of money, but rather with the demeanour of one who, as Mr. Coleman had expected, came to sue for grace, leniency, and forbearance. The lawyer did not, however, suffer his countenance to betray that he thus anticipated what Armytage’s financial position might really be, but with all civility he motioned him to a seat, and then resuming his own place at the desk, began untying the red tape which held together a number of deeds. “Well, Mr. Armytage,”’ said Coleman, ‘‘ I presume from your punctuality that you are here to settle the business according to agreement. And it is very fortunate, inasmuch as my client — ”’ “Your client wants the money?” said Armytage, with feverish excitement. ‘‘ Then it is a client who has advanced it? It is not yourself? ” ‘‘ T indeed! ”’ ejaculated Mr. Coleman. “I can assure you that the legal profession nowadays is not quite so flourishing as to enable one who practises it to advance fifty thousand pounds.” COnnICLOOKS (©)