sit down. I will briefly state
my threat, more briefly my conditions. You will be scarcely more prolix
in your reply. Your fortune I cannot touch, your enjoyment of it I
can destroy. Refuse my conditions, make me your enemy,--and war to the
knife! I will interrogate all the young dupes you have ruined. I will
learn the history of all the transactions by which you have gained the
wealth that it pleases you to spend in courting the society and sharing
the vices of men who--go with these rooms, Louis Quinze. Not a roguery
of yours shall escape me, down even to your last notable connivance with
an Italian reprobate for the criminal abduction of an heiress. All
these particulars I will proclaim in the clubs to which you have gained
admittance, in every club in London which you yet hope to creep into;
all these I will impart to some such authority in the Press as Mr. Henry
Norreys; all these I will, upon the voucher of my own name, have so
published in some journals of repute, that you must either tacitly
submit to the revelations that blast you, or bring before a court of
law actions that will convert accusations into evidence. It is but by
sufferance that you are now in society; you are excluded when one man
like me comes forth to denounce you. You try in vain to sneer at my
menace--your white lips show your terror. I have rarely in life drawn
any advantage from my rank and position; but I am thankful that they
give me the power to make my voice respected and my exposure triumphant.
Now, Baron Levy, will you go into your strong closet and hang yourself,
or will you grant me my very moderate conditions? You are silent. I will
relieve you, and state those conditions. Until the general election,
about to take place, is concluded, you will obey me to the letter in
all that I enjoin,--no demur and no scruple. And the first proof
of obedience I demand is, your candid disclosure of all Mr. Audley
Egerton's pecuniary affairs."

"Has my client, Mr. Egerton, authorized you to request of me that
disclosure?"

"On the contrary, all that passes between us you will conceal from your
client."

"You would save him from ruin? Your trusty friend, Mr. Egerton!" said
the baron, with a livid sneer.

"Wrong again, Baron Levy. If I would save him from ruin, you are
scarcely the man I should ask to assist me."

"Ah, I guess. You have learned how he--"

"Guess nothing, but obey in all things. Let us descend to your business
room."

Levy