The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 277: what you’re looking at

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266 enmeshed you—it has closed in around you; and there is but one means for your emancipation. Everything depends now upon yourself. I offer to annihilate your debts by the destruction of bonds and documents; I offer likewise on my client’s part to restore your daughter's fortune with which you have made away; and more than that, I will guarantee to yourself a certain sum of money—a reasonable sum, to the amount of a few thousand pounds,—so that if you consider you have positively and veritably a chance of redeem- ing your broken fortunes, the opportunity will be afforded you. On the other hand the fullest and completest revelation in respect to certain past incidents whereof I have no doubt that you pos- sees a knowledge,-—this is the condition on which alone so much will be done for you. Need I speak more plainlyP ‘Your countenance,” added Oole- man impressively, “proves beyond a matter of doubt that you labour not under the slightest uncertainty as to the meaning of my words.” “ But is this a delasion ? am J under the infic- ence of a waking dream? dare I believe the language which meets my ears and Armytage, pressing his hands to his t brows, ap- peared to feel as if this would steaily his reeling brain. “You may believe over thin you hear,” re. sponded Mr. Coleman : “ ve { not already told you that all has been a matter of calculation ? You remember that I songh$ you out—I forced money upon you—it was not you who first ad- dressed yourself to me-———” “ True! true !” ejaculated Armytege : then sud. denly starting up, he fixed his eyes keenly upon the lawyer, saying, “But if { were to tell you everything, would any harm redound upon my own head ?” “TIcan searcely think, Mr. Arm ,” replied Mr. Coleman, “that you yo have a crime wherewith you have to your conscience ——unless it be the concealment of your know: ledge of another’s crime: but that is comparatively venial.” Armytage reflected: a powerful struggle was evidently taking place within his breast; and turn- ing again towards the lawyer, he said, “ It is true I could make a revelation: but to what use would it be turned P”’ “You must not question me too far,” answered Coleman: then assuming a solemn air, he added in a corresponding tone, “The day is near at hand, Mr. Armytage, when the justice of heaven will assert itself, and when mysteries shall be cleared up. Think you that if I were not in pos- seasion of a certain clue I should be speaking as I am now addressing youP Think you that so much trouble would have been taken and so much money ventured, if there were not in the first in- stance a degree of certainty as to the result which was to be produced P? Look at your position ! The abyss of ruin yawns to receive you—whereas on the other hand you may be restored to the en- joyment of affluence, and all your adversity may be turned into prosperity !” “ My debts will be forgiven me?” ssid Army- tege : “ my daughter’s money which I have lost, will be restored to me ” “ All !— everything !” replied Mr. Coleman. ® And now——” a | THE MYSTERIES OF THE CouRf. At this moment the door was thrown open ; and a clerk announced, “The Dake of Marchmont.” The lawyer started; and an expreasion of min- gled wonderment and annoyance passed over his countenance. He was astonished that this nobie- man should have so suddenly made his appear- ance at such a crisis; and he was vexed because he fancied that his interview with Armytage might now take a tarn different from that which he hed anticipated. Armytage himself likewise started : he became exceedingly agitated : he looked first at Mr. Coleman and then at the Duke, as if hardly knowing whether to think that the appearance of his Grace was an unexpected or event. But his on this point was speedily dispelled on observing the look of surprise with which the Dake of Marchmont regarded him. “ What, Armytage! here P” exclaimed the Duke. “Ah! by the bye, now I recollect, you have pecuniary affeirs with Mr. Coleman? I hope they are progressing satisfactorily ? — Mr. Cole. man, perhape I ought to beg your pardon for this intrusion : your clerk told me that you had some one with you—but the instant I gave him my card, he expressed hie conviction you would see me without delay.” “Yes, my lord,” gald the attorney, “I will at- fend to your Grace at once. Mr. Arm have the kindness to step into another room. My olerk will show you thither. We will finish our basiness presently.” The clerk, who had lingered at the door, led Mr. Arm across the landing to another room; and the Duke of Marchmont remained alone with the solicitor—at least so far alone as they could be said to be, considering that Mr. Redcliff> was in an adjoining apartment and in a position to overhear everything that took place. Mr. Coleman requested the Duke of Marchmont to be seated: and then said, “ May I beg to be informed of the business which has procured the honour of your Grace’s visit Pf” There was a certain degree of coldness and re- serve in Coleman's manner which could not be otherwise than perceptible toone who, by his rank and position, might naturally have awaited nothing but the profoundest respect from the man of busi- ness. But not appearing to notice the somewhat glacial distance of the lawyer's demeanour, the Duke said, “I do not think, Mr. Coleman, that I shall take up your time many minutes; for I have only a simple question to put—and doubtless year anewer will be as concisely given.” “Proceed, my lord,” said the solicitor: and as he seated himself at hie desk, he awaited with cold and grave attention whatecever was to fol- low. “Tt has come to my knowledge,” continued the Duke of Marchmont, “ that you have made ia- quiries concerning a certain Mademe Angelique three or four times lately; and to tell you the truth, she is somewhat alarmed. Now, I need nat inform you, Mr. Coleman, that some of us mortals are frail enough—and I[ will frankly admit that I, being one of these fallible ones, frequented the establishment which Madame Angelique used te keep. Happening to call upon her to-day—just to see how she was getting on in the villa to which she has retired—I found her overwhelmed with alarm-——’! 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