The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

THE LAWYER’S OFFICE 43 beseech you to listen to me. Do not interrupt. Every in- stant of delay is only fraught with additional anguish toward myself, and with additional suspense for your Grace, because what I have to say regards your lordship as much as it does ‘me.”’ “Travers! ’’ ejaculated Marchmont, darting a peculiarly piercing look upon the speculator. ‘““Three times has your lordship addressed me by that name within the last five minutes,’’ rejoined Armytage, “‘ and let me tell you that it is ominous. For besides ourselves, it would seem as if there is some one else beneath this roof who knows that I once bore that name.”’ ‘“* And what of that? ” asked the duke, quickly, but at the same time with an expression of fear in his looks which was in contradiction with the seeming hardihood of his words. ‘“‘ There are several persons in the world who know that you once bore that name. But there is no harm — ”’ ‘“‘ Ah, my lord, why do you not listen? ’’ exclaimed Army- tage, impatiently. ‘‘ You yourself see that there is some harm pending, and yet do you thus endeavour to stave off the instant when you must hear the truth. Listen, I say, my lord. You see before you a man who is placed in the most difficult and painful of positions. Iamruined. Fifty thousand pounds do I owe this lawyer, or, more properly speaking, his client. Twenty thousand pounds of bills which I have put in circulation — and, my God, such bills! — will be due in a few days; these are also in this lawyer’s hands. Zoe’s fortune made away with — ”’ ‘““ Well, well!’ ejaculated the duke, now evidently fevered with the intensest and most painful curiosity. ‘‘ But how does all this — ”’ ““ How does it regard your Grace? ”’ exclaimed Armytage, bitterly. | ‘““In a direct manner, I mean?” interjected Marchmont. ““ Of course through friendship for you — ”’ _ “ My lord, if you would but listen,’’ exclaimed Armytage, with renewed impatience. ‘‘ I have shown you how on the one side I stand upon the very verge of ruin; I may now tell you how on the other I have received offers of a most as- tounding, a most incredible nature — and yet all true, all true. I may be rich once more; I may be released from these fearful liabilities, the fortune of my daughter, which I GomiilGaooks (S©)