"But the thing is done; and what am I now to do? What can I do? First of all, there's Titmouse--where is that little miscreant at this moment? Will he follow his wife to Grosvenor Square? Will the earl have recovered, before I can see Titmouse, sufficiently to recollect what has happened? Will they allow him to be admitted into the sick-chamber? Suppose his presence should remind the earl of what he has this day heard? Suppose he should recover his senses--what course will he take? Will he acquaint his daughter that she is married to a vulgar bastard--oh, frightful!--she and he the two proudest persons, perhaps, living! Will they spurn him from them with loathing and horror?--expose the little impostor to the world?--and take God knows what steps against _me_, for the share I have had in the matter?--Oh, impossible!--inconceivable! They can never blazon their own degradation to the world! Or will Lord Dreddlington have discretion and self-command sufficient to keep the blighting secret to himself? Will he rest satisfied with my statement, or insist on conclusive proof and corroboration? Will he call for vouchers--ah!" here he ground his teeth together, for he recollected the trick which Titmouse had played him in destroying the precious documents already spoken of. "If the little wretch do not hear of what has happened from any one else, shall I tell him that I have communicated his secret to Lord Dreddlington? Fancy him and his wife meeting after they know all!--or him and the earl! Suppose the earl should _die_--and without having disclosed this secret to any one? Oh, oh! what a godsend would that be! All straight then, to the end of the chapter!--How near it was this morning!--If I had but suffered those two boobies to wrangle together till it was too late!"--A _little_ color came into Mr. Gammon's cheek at this point--as if he felt that perhaps he was then going a trifle too far in entertaining such very--decisive--wishes and regrets: still he could not dismiss the reflection; nay, what was more probable than that so desperate a shock, suffered by a man of his advanced years, might be only the precursor of a second and fatal fit of apoplexy?--Dr. Bailey had expressed some fears of that sort to-day, recollected Gammon!