"Indeed--indeed, you distress me beyond measure, Mr. Aubrey," said Gammon, in a low tone. "If you can but secure me, sir--and that is the object of this intrusion upon you--a merciful interval, to prepare myself for the profession which I have entered--the bar--whatever earnings I might obtain, after leaving a bare maintenance for myself and family, shall be devoted faithfully to liquidate the heavy claims upon me! For myself, Mr. Gammon, I do not care about living upon bread and water for the next ten years; but there are others"--his voice trembled. "Sir," he suddenly added with almost passionate energy, "by every consideration which can influence a gentleman, I conjure you to interfere between me and utter immediate ruin!" This was the real thrilling language of the heart; but it failed to produce the least impression upon Gammon, in whom it excited only intense chagrin and disappointment. "Oh, that it were but in my power," said he, however, with great energy, "to send you out of this room a free man! If I alone were to be consulted," he continued with vivacity, "I would instantly absolve you from all demands--or at least give you your own time, and take no other security than your word and honor!" "Oh! what a happy--happy man! what a happy family should we be if only"----he could not finish the sentence, for he was greatly moved. ["Here's an infernal business!" thought Gammon to himself, and, bending down his head, he covered his eyes with his hands;--"worse, far worse than I had suspected. I would take five pounds for all _my_ residuary interest in the sixty thousand pounds!! I've not the least doubt that he's speaking the truth. But the _bill_ part of the business is highly unsatisfactory! I should like my friend Quirk to be here just now! Surely, however, Mr. Aubrey must be able to get security? With such friends and connections as his!--If one could only get one or two of them to join him in a bond for ten thousand pounds--stay--that won't exactly do either--by the way--I _must_ have my thumb upon him!"]