human
I see! The whole, said Mr. Aubrey,
gpt
That certainly seems very much like it, replied Mr. Runnington, shrugging his shoulders;
human
That is just what the Attorney-General said--and he invited me, moreover, to converse with him whenever I might consider that his advice would be useful.
gpt
Could you have a better adviser? He has a most penetrating sagacity, long exercised--in short, his qualifications are consummate; and I should not hesitate about consulting him in a friendly way, whenever we feel at a loss.
human
Why should I disguise anything from you, Mr. Runnington? --said Aubrey--
gpt
It would be cruel and absurd in me not to express at once, Mr. Aubrey, my conviction that your situation is fearfully critical; and that your sole hope is in the moderation which may be hoped for from Messrs. Quirk, Gammon, and Snap, and their client, Mr. Titmouse. Serious as are, at present, your other liabilities--to that one, of the mesne profits, they are but as a bucket of water to the Thames. As we are talking, Mr. Aubrey, in this candid and unrestrained manner, I will tell you my chief source of apprehension on your account, with reference to Messrs. Quirk, Gammon, and Snap: namely, that they may possibly speculate on your being able, if placed in real peril, to call around you, in your extremity, a host of wealthy and powerful friends--as security, or otherwise
human
They will find themselves, then, utterly mistaken, said Mr. Aubrey, sternly.
gpt
If they and their client are really capable of such shocking brutality--such wanton oppression--let them do their worst: I am resigned. Providence will discover a shelter for my poor wife and children, and my dear, devoted, high-spirited sister; and as for myself, rather than satiate the rapacity of such wretches, by plundering good-natured and generous friends, I will spend the remainder of my days in prison!