The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 366: what you’re looking at

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

THE DUKE 049 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 — [—”’ ‘“ 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? ”’ “Tt 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.”’ COMNICLOO© S (SO