The Antiquary by Scott Sir Walter

Author:Scott, Sir Walter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: (Privatkopie)
Published: 2010-02-03T05:00:00+00:00

– Money placed for show,

Like nest-eggs, to make clients lay,

And for his false opinions pay. –

It is the trick of all professions, my dear Sir Arthur. Pray, may I ask you how much this discovery cost you?«

»About ten guineas.«

»And you have gained what is equivalent to twenty in actual bullion, and what may be perhaps worth as much more to such fools as ourselves, who are willing to pay for curiosity. This was allowing you a tempting profit on the first hazard, I must needs admit. And what is the next venture he proposes?«

»An hundred and fifty pounds; – I have given him one-third part of the money, and I thought it likely you might assist me with the balance.«

»I should think that this cannot be meant as a parting blow – it is not of weight and importance sufficient; he will probably let us win this hand also, as sharpers manage a raw gamester. – Sir Arthur, I hope you believe I would serve you?«

»Certainly, Mr. Oldbuck, I think my confidence in you on these occasions leaves no room to doubt that.«

»Well, then, allow me to speak to Dousterswivel. If the money can be advanced usefully and advantageously for you, why, for old neighbourhood's sake, you shall not want it; but if, as I think, I can recover the treasure for you without making such an advance, you will, I presume, have no objection!«

»Unquestionably, I can have none whatsoever.«

»Then where is Dousterswivel?« continued the Antiquary.

»To tell you the truth, he is in my carriage below; but knowing your prejudice against him« –

»I thank Heaven, I am not prejudiced against any man, Sir Arthur: it is systems, not individuals, that incur my reprobation.« He rang the bell. »Jenny, Sir Arthur and I offer our compliments to Mr. Dousterswivel, the gentleman in Sir Arthur's carriage, and beg to have the pleasure of speaking with him here.«

Jenny departed and delivered her message. It had been by no means a part of the project of Dousterswivel to let Mr. Oldbuck into his supposed mystery. He had relied upon Sir Arthur's obtaining the necessary accommodation without any discussion as to the nature of the application, and only waited below for the purpose of possessing himself of the deposit as soon as possible, for he foresaw that his career was drawing to a close. But when summoned to the presence of Sir Arthur and Mr. Oldbuck, he resolved gallantly to put confidence in his powers of impudence, of which, the reader may have observed, his natural share was very liberal.

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