The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 177: what you’re looking at

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

160 <THE COURT OF LONDON had been there alone for the last half-hour, having sent the boy out upon some pretence, and during this half-hour he had procured irom Hmmerson’s desk the document which he had promised to deliver into the hands of the Earl of Curzon. But at the moment when Emmerson returned, Theodore was seated at his usual place in the front office, attending to his business with a placid and calm demeanour, as 1f nothing unusual had happened and nothing of an ex- citing character was going on. ‘Well, what luck? ’’ inquired Emmerson, affecting an air of indifference, though all his plans depended upon Varian’s answer. . ‘TY have succeeded, sir, in every quarter,’ replied Theo- dore, “‘ and have collected the several items upon this list. Here are three hundred and seventy pounds in all.” “Good!” exclaimed Emmerson, scarcely able to con- ceal his joy; and he felt at the moment that even in the midst of the most desperate circumstances there may be yet a gleam of hope and a source oi cheerfulness. Having counted the money, he placed it in his pocket, observing, with an apparent offhand manner, “ that he him- self had been very lucky and had collected a few thousands.” He then entered his inner office, sat down, and began to reflect profoundly upon an idea which within the last hour or two had been gradually expanding itself, as 1t were, in his mind. And what was the subject of his thoughts, — that subject which had now become all-absorbing and all-engrossing as he sat with his elbows resting upon the table and his hands supporting his head? He had made up his mind to fly from England, and he had procured the means of doing so. In a few hours he meant to be off. In a word, he had resolved upon bidding farewell to England for ever. Then why depart with barely four hundred pounds in his pocket? What a beggarly amount, what a wretched sum, for a man who had been accustomed to command the use of thousands! Could he not by some means treble or quadruple the sum which he had in his possession? Yes, there was a method which he might adopt, and this was by means of a forgery. Such was the idea on which Emmerson now pondered. He examined the matter in all its bearings, weighed its chances of success, calculated all the risks of discovery. GOmMmichbooks (E(0) im