delinquencies be shown
to be as black as Styx. But if Cousin George could be made to give
her up,--then Emily must yield; and, yielding in such manner, having
received so rude a proof of her lover's unworthiness, it could not
be but that her heart would be changed. Sir Harry's first idea of a
price was very noble; all debts to be paid, a thousand a year for
the present, and Scarrowby to be attached to the title. What price
would be too high to pay for the extrication of his daughter from
so grievous a misfortune? But Mr. Boltby was more calm. As to the
payment of the debts,--yes, within a certain liberal limit. For the
present, an income of five hundred pounds he thought would be almost
as efficacious a bait as double the amount; and it would be well to
tack to it the necessity of a residence abroad. It might, perhaps,
serve to get the young man out of the country for a time. If the
young man bargained on either of these headings, the matter could be
reconsidered by Mr. Boltby; as to settling Scarrowby on the title,
Mr. Boltby was clearly against it. "He would raise every shilling he
could on post-obits within twelve months." At last the offer was made
in the terms with which the reader is already acquainted. George was
sent off from the lawyer's chambers with directions to consider the
terms, and Mr. Boltby gave his clerk some little instructions for
perpetuating the irritation on the young man which Hart and Stubber
together were able to produce. The young man should be made to
understand that hungry creditors, who had been promised their money
on certain conditions, could become very hungry indeed.

George Hotspur, blackguard and worthless as he was, did not at first
realize the fact that Sir Harry and Mr. Boltby were endeavouring to
buy him. He was asked to give up his cousin, and he was told that
if he did so a certain very generous amount of pecuniary assistance
should be given to him; but yet he did not at the first glance
perceive that one was to be the price of the other,--that if he took
the one he would meanly have sold the other. It certainly would have
been very pleasant to have all his debts paid for him, and the offer
of five hundred pounds a year was very comfortable. Of the additional
sum to be given when Sir Harry should die, he did not think so much.
It might probably be a long time coming, and then Sir Harry would
of course be bound to do something for the title. As for living
abroad,--he might prom