"What do you care for that? Look here, Braham: all is going on as well as possible--I only want time. If you clap me in a sponging-house now, you will not get a penny, for Sir Murray's pride would never get over it. I could never show myself here again. You must renew." "Can't," said Braham, shaking his head--"can't, indeed. Money is more and more valuable every day." "So is time to me," said his lordship, grimly. "Now, look here, Braham: is such a chance as this to be played with?" "Thousand pities to lose it." "Thousand pities--yes!" exclaimed the Viscount, excitedly. "Yes, I'd give a thousand pounds sooner than be thrown off now." "Well," said the Jew, "I don't want to be hard. On those terms--terms, mind, that you offer yourself--I'll renew for another three months; but mind this: I'll have the money to the day, or you know the consequences. If the money is not paid, you will be taken, even if it is at the church door." "Terms!--what terms?" stammered the Viscount. "I offered no terms." "Your lordship said that you would give a thousand pounds for three months' reprieve," said his visitor, coolly. "Pooh! absurd! You are mad," said the Viscount. "Oh! I beg pardon," said Braham, rising. "I understood you to say so. As your lordship pleases." "Sit down there, for Heaven's sake, Braham. What are you thinking about?" "Nothing--nothing, my lord; but pray excuse me. Time is nothing to you; it is everything to me." "By George! what a position," muttered the unhappy Viscount. "There, look here: you'd let me off for another three months, on the same terms as the last--eh?" The Jew shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. His hand was already upon the door, he opened it, and had passed out, when, half mad with the prospect before him, the Viscount shrieked: "Braham! Here! Stop! I agree;" and the Jew slowly re-entered the room. "No, my lord, I think it would be better not," he said. "You are already too deeply in debt. My conscience would not allow me to make such terms." "I can't stand it--that cant, Braham," said the Viscount, hoarsely. "You have the paper and stamps in your pocket--there are pens and ink; draw them up, and let me sign the bills, and let's have an end to it. I'm not very clever, but it is plain enough to me how you pull the string, for you have me fast enough. Make much of it, though, for I would not consent but that you have me in a corner." "Now, don't be hard," grinned Braham, as, without a minute's loss of time, he drew out the requisite slips of paper, and held them, when ready, for the Viscount to sign. "Look at the risk I run," he added, as he took a fresh clip of ink, and held the pen to his lordship, placing the writing-table by the bedside, ready to his hand. "Take them, and make much of them. You came down meaning to make a good bargain out of me, and I hope you are satisfied?"