human
Leslie, said the minister, sealing a note,
gpt
No other message?--he seemed to expect one.
human
I dare say he did. Well, my letter is official, my message is not: beg him to see Mr. ----- before we meet,--he will understand,--all rests upon that interview.
gpt
Of course you will not mention to any one that Dr. F----- was with me: the health of public men is not to be suspected. Hum,--were you in your own room or the ante- room?
human
The ante-room, sir.
gpt
And Mr. Levy was there, eh?
human
Yes--the baron.
gpt
Baron! true. Come to plague me about the Mexican loan, I suppose. I will keep you no longer.
human
Levy, what money can I have for a year?
gpt
The estate will bear very little more. My dear fellow, that last election was the very devil. You cannot go on thus much longer.
human
My dear fellow! Baron Levy hailed Audley Egerton as
gpt
I shall not want to go on thus much longer, answered Egerton, as the curl on his lip changed to a gloomy smile.
human
The estate must, meanwhile, bear L5,000 more.
gpt
A hard pull on it. You had really better sell.
human
I cannot afford to sell at present. I cannot afford men to say, 'Audley Egerton is done up,--his property is for sale.'
gpt
It is very sad when one thinks what a rich man you have been--and may be yet!
human
Be yet! How?
gpt
Why, you know that, with three words from you, I could produce an effect upon the stocks of three nations, that might give us each a hundred thousand pounds. We would go shares.
human
Levy, said Egerton, coldly, though a deep blush overspread his face,
gpt
Well, said he,
human
added Levy, with emphasis,
gpt
You mean to taunt me, sir! he exclaimed passionately.
human
I accept pecuniary favours from Lord L'Estrange!--I!
gpt
Tut, my dear Egerton, I dare say my Lord would not think so ill now of that act in your life which--
human
Hold! exclaimed Egerton, writhing.
gpt
Hold!
human
To blush before this man! Chastisement, chastisement!
gpt
Look you, Levy, said he, with forced composure,
human
Hate you! How have I shown hatred? Would you ever have lived in this palace, and ruled this country as one of the most influential of its ministers, but for my management, my whispers to the wealthy Miss Leslie? Come, but for me what would you have been,--perhaps a beggar.
gpt
What shall I be now, if I live? And this fortune which my marriage brought to me--it has passed for the main part into your hands. Be patient, you will have it all ere long. But there is one man in the world who has loved me from a boy, and woe to you if ever he learn that he has the right to despise me!
human
Egerton, my good fellow, said Levy, with great composure,
gpt
Perhaps in one month, perhaps not for three or four. Let it be ready when required.
human
Enough; depend on it. Have you any other commands?
gpt
None.
human
I will take my leave, then. By-the-by, what do you suppose the Hazeldean rental is worth--net?
gpt
I don't know, nor care. You have no designs upon that too?
human
Well, I like keeping up family connections. Mr. Frank seems a liberal young gentleman.
gpt
Thank Heaven, not for long,--it will not last long.
human
So--I must shun all emotion!
gpt
That man is made of bronze, said a leader of the Opposition to a friend as they rode past the minister.
human
What would I not give for his nerves!