["I wonder," thought Gammon, "whether he has any _insurances on his life_!--He certainly has _rather_ a consumptive look--I should like to ascertain the fact--and in what office--and to what extent."]
"I trust, most sincerely, Mr. Aubrey, that the mental sufferings which you must have undergone, have not affected your health?" inquired Gammon, with an air of infinite concern.
"A little, certainly, sir, but, thank God, I believe not materially; I never was very robust," he replied with a faint sad smile.
["_How like his sister!_"--thought Gammon, watching his companion's countenance with real interest.]
"I am not quite sure, Mr. Gammon," continued Aubrey, "that I am observing etiquette in thus coming to you, on a matter which you may consider ought to have been left to my solicitors, and who know nothing of my present visit--but"----
"An honorable mind like yours, Mr. Aubrey, may surely act according to its own impulses with safety! As for etiquette, I know of no professional rule which I break, in entering into a discussion with you of any topic connected with the action which has recently been determined," said Gammon, cautiously, and particularly on his guard, as soon as his penetrating eye had detected the acuteness which was mingled with the sincerity and simplicity of character visible in the oppressed countenance of Mr. Aubrey.
"I dare say you can guess the occasion of my visit, Mr. Gammon?"
["There goes _our bill_!--Whew!--What now?" thought Gammon.]
Mr. Gammon bowed, with an anxious, expectant air.
"I allude to the question yet remaining between your client, Mr. Titmouse, and me--the mesne profits"----
"I feared--I expected as much! It gave me infinite anxiety, as soon as I found you were approaching the subject!"
"To me it is really a matter of life and death, Mr. Gammon. It is one pressing me on, almost to the very verge of despair!"
"Do not, Mr. Aubrey," said Gammon, in a tone and with a look which touched the heart of his agitated companion, "magnify the mischief. Don't--I beg--imagine your position to be one so hopeless! What is there to stand in the way of an amicable adjustment of these claims? If I had my way, Mr. Aubrey--and if I thought I should not be acting the part of the unjust steward in Scripture--I would write sixty thousand farthings for sixty thousand pounds!"