"Take care what you say, sir," said Davis, affecting to write down his words, but in his confusion unable to form a letter.
"I shall accept your caution as it deserves," said Belton, "and say that they are a party of professional swindlers,—men who cheat at play, intimidate for money, and even commit forgery for it."
Davis moved towards the door, but Belton anticipated him, and he sat down again without a word.
"Now, Mr. Davis," said he, calmly, "it is left entirely to my discretion in what way I am to proceed with respect to one of the parties to these frauds." As he got thus far, the waiter entered, and presented a visiting-card, on which Belton said, "Yes, show him upstairs;" and the next minute Lord George Tiverton made his appearance. He was already in the middle of the room ere he perceived me, and for the first time in my life I saw signs of embarrassment and shame on his impassive features.
"They told me you were alone, Mr. Belton," said he, angrily, and as if about to retire.
"For all the purposes you have come upon, my Lord, it is the same as though I were."
"Is it blown, then?" asked his Lordship of Davis; and the other replied with an almost imperceptible nod. Muttering what sounded like a curse, Tiverton threw himself into a chair, drawing his hat, which he still wore, more deeply over his eyes.
I assure you, Tom, that so overwhelmed was I by this distressing scene,—for, say what you will, there is nothing so distressing as to see the man with whom you have lived in intimacy, if not actual friendship, suddenly displayed in all the glaring colors of scoundrelism. You feel yourself so humiliated before such a spectacle, that the sense of shame becomes like an atmosphere around you; I actually heard nothing,—I saw nothing. A scene of angry discussion ensued between Belton and the lawyer—Tiverton never uttered a word—of which I caught not one syllable. I could only mark, at last, that Belton had gained the upper hand, and in the other's subdued manner and submissive tone defeat was plainly written.