"I give you my honor, Mr. Aubrey, that in the whole course of my practice I never heard of such a procedure!" said Mr. Runnington, with a half-desperate air.
"And I shall further request you to state that the last quarter's rents are in my banker's hands, and will be paid over to the order of Mr. Titmouse"——
"Good gracious, Mr. Aubrey!" interrupted Mr. Runnington, with an air of deep concern.
"I have well considered the position in which I am placed," said Mr. Aubrey, with a serious air.
"It is very painful for me to mention the subject, Mr. Aubrey; but have you adverted to the mesne profits?"
"I have. It is, indeed, a very fearful matter: and I frankly own that I see no way open before me, but to trust to the forbearance of"——
"Forbearance!—The forbearance of Messrs. Quirk, Gammon, and Snap!! or of any one counselled by them!"
"Why, what can I do? I might as well undertake to pay off the national debt as the sum of sixty thousand pounds!"
"That's just the very thing," replied Mr. Runnington, with a dismayed air.
"Whatever honorable negotiation can effect, I leave it in your hands to do. With reference to the time which may be allowed for liquidating this frightful demand"—Mr. Aubrey changed color, but spoke with firmness—"I must own this to be a matter which has occasioned me inexpressible anxiety, Mr. Runnington. I really do not see what length of time will enable me to discharge so vast a sum of money, or even to make any sensible impression upon it. I am quite at the mercy of my enemies!" Here both were silent for some time.