O’Ded. With submission, sir Rowland, his lordship is my client, as well as yourself, and I have learned from the practice of the courts, that an attorney who blabs in his business has soon no suit to his back.
Sir Row. But this affair, perhaps, involves my deepest interest—my character—my all is at stake.
O’Ded. Have done wid your pumping now—d’ye think I am a basket full of cinders, that I’m to be sifted after this fashion?
Sir Row. Answer but this—does it relate to Charles, my son?
O’Ded. Sartinly, the young gentleman has a small bit of interest in the question.
Sir Row. One thing more. Does it allude to a transaction which happened some years ago—am I a principal concerned in it?
O’Ded. Devil a ha’porth—it happened only six months past.
Sir R. Enough—I breathe again.
O’Ded. I’m glad of that, for may-be you’ll now let me breathe to tell you that as I know lord Austencourt’s private character better than you do, my life to a bundle of parchment, he’ll even arrest ye for the money.
Sir R. Impossible, he cannot be such a villain!