thought it impossible: the solicitor thought it improvident, because
he knew that upon a trial a much greater abatement would be allowed;
but Lord Colambre was determined, from the present embarrassments of
his own situation, to leave nothing undone that could be accomplished
immediately.
Sir Terence, pleased with his commission, immediately went to
Mordicai.
“Well, Sir Terence,” said Mordicai, “I hope you are come to pay me my
hundred guineas; for Miss Broadhurst is married!”
“Well, Mister Mordicai, what then? The ides of March are come, but
not gone! Stay, if you plase, Mister Mordicai, till Lady-day, when it
becomes due: in the mean time, I have a handful, or rather an armful,
of bank-notes for you, from my Lord Colambre.”
“Humph.” said Mordicai: “how’s that? he’ll not be of age these three
days.”
“Don’t matter for that: he has sent me to look over your accounts, and
to hope that you will make some small ABATEMENT in the total.”
“Harkee, Sir Terence--you think yourself very clever in things of this
sort, but you’ve mistaken your man: I have an execution for the whole,
and I’ll be d----d if all your cunning shall MAKE me take up with
part!”
“Be _aisy_, Mister Mordicai!--you sha’n’t make me break your bones,
nor make me drop one actionable word against your high character; for
I know your clerk there, with that long goose-quill behind his ear,
would be ready evidence again’ me. But I beg to know, in one word,
whether you will take five thousand down, and GIVE Lord Clonbrony a
discharge?”
“No, Mr. Terence! nor six thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine
pounds. My demand is seven thousand one hundred and thirty pounds,
odd shillings: if you have that money, pay it; if not, I know how to
get it, and along with it complete revenge for all the insults I have
received from that greenhorn, his son.”
“Paddy Brady!” cried Sir Terence, “do you hear that? Remember that
word _revenge_!--Mind I call you to witness!”
“What, sir, will you raise a rebellion among my workmen?”
“No, Mr. Mordicai, no rebellion; and I hope you won’t cut the boy’s
ears off for listening to a little of the brogue--so listen, my good
lad. Now, Mr. Mordicai, I offer you here, before little goosequill,
5000_l._ ready penny--take it, or leave it: take your money, and leave
your revenge; or take your revenge, and lose your money.”
“Sir Terence, I value neither your threats nor your cunning. Good
morning to you.”
“Good morning to you, Mr. Mordicai--but not kindly! Mr. Edwards, the
solicitor, has been at the office to take off the execution: so now
you may have law to your heart’s content! And it was only to plase the
young lord that the _ould_ one consented to my carrying this bundle to
you,” showing the bank-notes.
“Mr. Edwards employed!” cried Mordicai. “Why, how the devil did Lord
Clonbrony get into such hands as his? The execution taken off! Well,
sir, go to law--I am ready for you. Jack Latitat IS A MATCH for your
sober solicitor.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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