The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 53: what you’re looking at

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

36 REYNOLDS’ WORKS friendship of the Duke of Marchmont. Think you that he will come forward with so large a sum to extricate you from your difficulties? ”’ ‘* What if he were to advance a part? ”’ ejaculated Army- tage, eagerly. “Say twenty thousand? I dare not beseech him for more.”’ ‘So far as my client is concerned,’’ responded Coleman, - “he insists upon being paid everything to the uttermost farthing. Or else —”’ “Or else what?’ said Armytage, quickly. ‘‘ Oh, have mercy! Think of my poor daughter. She has been ill, she has been in France for her health — and, oh, if she were to see her father in prison, it would kill her. I beseech you to have mercy.” ‘“ Mr. Armytage,”’ resumed the lawyer, ‘‘ there is the war- rant of attorney, and if you fulfil not your engagement, it must be immediately acted upon. Unfortunately in these circumstances all private feelings are lost sight of. My duty toward my client prevents me from paying that regard to this appeal which you make on your daughter’s behalf.” ‘But who is this client of yours? ’’ exclaimed Armytage, driven almost to despair. ‘‘ Surely he cannot be so hard a man? Surely he cannot wish to plunge three of his fellow creatures into a ruin for which there will be no redemption? Give me time, even if you will not assist me with a further loan. But to put the bailiffs into my house, to seize upon my person — oh, the disgrace! And then, when the news reaches my poor Zoe — ”’ ‘You would make very great sacrifices, Mr. Armytage,’’ said the lawyer, “‘ in order to avoid this catastrophe? ” ‘“ Sacrifice! ’’ ejaculated Armytage. ‘‘ Tell me what sacri- fice you demand. Tell me what I can do.” ‘‘ There is something, Mr. Armytage,” said Coleman, “ yes, there is something, but you little suspect to what I allude — yet there is something, I repeat — ”’ ‘““My God, keep me not in suspense! ’”’ cried the miserable creature, imploringly, ‘‘ but tell me, is there a means of saving myself? ”’ ‘‘ There is a means,”’ answered the lawyer; “ it is the only alternative to save you from a debtor’s prison. I will even go farther, and, wild though my words may seem, yet they are nevertheless fraught with truth. The warrant of attor- CORNIELIOOLKKS (E()