Mr Braham condescended to wink at the servant, and the valet made bold to wink in reply; and, at last rising, Mr Braham was ushered into Lord Maudlaine’s room.
“De do, Mr Braham?” said his lordship, languidly; and then, as the door closed on the valet: “Con-found you! what the deuce brought you here?”
“Customary conveyance, my lord,” said the Jew, coolly.
“But what could induce you to come down here and spoil all?” exclaimed the Viscount.
“Your honourable lordship’s extreme want of punctuality,” said the unwelcome visitor.
“Punctuality!—what do you mean?” said his lordship, fiercely.
“Nothing—nothing,” said the Jew, nonchalantly, as he lolled back in his chair, after helping himself to one of the cigars on the table, and preparing to smoke. “I see from your lordship’s freedom of conversation, that you possess the happy independent spirit given by money. I see you are quite prepared.”
“Prepared—prepared for what?” gasped the recumbent debtor.
“Oh! only to meet my demands! I did wait a week; but as I did not hear from you, I was obliged to come and remind you.”
“Remind me of what?” exclaimed the Viscount.