"It may be only to inquire about the Artificial Rain Company"--said Gammon to himself, as, having procured a light, he poured himself out a large glassful of brandy, and drank it off, to overcome a little sense of faintness which he felt coming rapidly over him. "The duke is a shareholder, I think. Not at all unlikely!--And as for Lady Cecilia's illness--nothing so extraordinary about it--when one considers her situation--and the shock occasioned by the earl's sudden and alarming illness. But I must take a decided course, one way or another, with the duke!--Suppose the earl has disclosed the affair to Lady Cecilia--and it has got to the duke's ears?--Good heavens! how is one to deal with it? Suppose I were to affect total ignorance about the matter--and swear that it is altogether a delusion on the part of the earl?--That would be rather a bold stroke, too!--Suppose the earl to _die_ of this bout--ah! then there 's an end of the thing, and all's well, provided I can manage Titmouse!--A second fit of apoplexy within twelve hours--that looks well--humph!--If the earl _have_ mentioned the affair--and distinctly and intelligibly--how far has he gone?--Did he name the rent-charge?--Ah!--well, and suppose he did? What's easier than also to deny _that_ altogether? But suppose Titmouse should be tampered with, and pressed about the business? Perdition!--all is lost!--Yet they would hardly like to defy me, and trumpet the thing abroad!--Then there's the other course--to own that I am in possession of the fatal secret--that I became so only recently; avow the reason of my taking the rent-charge; and insist upon retaining it, as the condition of my secrecy? That also is a bold stroke: both are bold!--Yet one of them I must choose!--Then, suppose the earl to recover: he will never be the same man he was--that I find is always the case--his mind, such as it is, will go nearly altogether!--But if he recover only a glimmering even of sense--egad! 't will require a little nerve, too, to deny the thing to his face, and swear that the whole thing is the delusion of a brain disordered by previous fright!--And suppose Lady Cecilia dies?--and leaves no issue?--and then Lord Dreddlington follows her--by Heaven, this hideous little devil _becomes Lord Drelincourt at once_!!"