The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 371: what you’re looking at

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

eee ee ed a a i ae — aint a Ay THE DUKE 349 not altogether without your Grace’s concurrence — and in some sense by your counsel — that I abandoned it.” “ Well, well, but about this money which you require? ” rejoined the duke, petulantly. ‘It is altogether out of the question — I cannot afford it —I—” “‘ And I, my lord,” answered the other decisively, “cannot afford to be ruined.” | “‘ But how is all this? ’’ demanded the duke. “When I applied to your Grace for the fifty thousand pounds,” responded Armytage, “‘ I informed you that I had suffered materially by that scoundrel Preston, who committed forgeries to such a large amount. During the past six months I have been endeavouring to retrieve my losses, but some- how or another fortune has set in steadily against me, and I have only incurred fresh ones.” “¢ And what chance have you of improving your position? ” demanded the duke. ‘“ I thought you told me when I lent you the former amount that you had numerous sums to receive from noblemen and gentlemen in the course of a short time? ”’ “ And so I had, my lord,” replied Mr Armytage, ‘‘ but — ” “ But what? Has that money all gone likewise? ”’ “ There is no use denying the truth,” rejoined Armytage; “the fact is, I have been exceedingly unlucky, and if I do not pay this sum of twenty-five thousand into my banker’s hand to-morrow to meet certain bills that will be due, I shall be a ruined man. On the other hand, if your Grace will assist me, I can immediately procure fresh pecuniary accommodation — ” “Then you will have to borrow in order to be enabled to go on? ” exclaimed the duke. “ Yes, but fortune is sure to take a turn. In a word, my lord, I am deeply interested in a splendid speculation which only requires money to float it on to complete success.” “Then you, a money-lender,” cried the duke, “ are now in the hands of money-lenders? ” “It is a highly respectable solicitor who is assisting me,’’ rejoined Armytage, — “‘a Mr. Coleman, of Bedford Row, Holborn. The fact is, he has advanced me this twenty-five thousand pounds which I have got to pay to-morrow, and if my bills be all taken up, I can go to him with the certainty of obtaining fifty thousand.” ECORNICLOO Ss (EC) im