"Walk a little this way, Sir Dudley," said he, gravely; and his voice soon convinced the hearer that something serious was in the wind.
"What's the matter, man? You look as if Cardinal was dead lame."
"Sir Dudley, you must start from this at once. Holdsworth has taken proceedings on the bills; Lord Corthern has foreclosed; the whole body of the creditors are up; and you 'll be arrested before you leave the field!"
If the threat had conveyed the ignominious penalty of felony, Broughton could not have looked more indignant. "Arrested! You don't mean that we cannot raise enough to pay these rascals?"
"Your outstanding bills are above twenty thousand, sir."
"And if they be; do you tell me that with my estate--"
"My dear Sir Dudley, how much of it is unencumbered? What single portion, save the few hundreds a year of Lady Broughton's jointure, is not sunk under mortgage? But this is no time for discussion; get into the chaise with me; we 'll reach London in time for the mail; to-morrow you can be in Boulogne, and then we shall have time at least for an arrangement."
"The race is just coming off! how can I leave? I'm a steward; besides, I have a tremendous book. Do you know how many thousands I stand to win here?"
"To lose, you mean," said the solicitor. "You 're sold!" The words were whispered so low as to be almost inaudible; but Broughton actually staggered as he heard them.
"Sold! how? what? Impossible, man! Who could sell me?"
"Only one man, perhaps, but he has done it! Is it true you have backed Calliope?"
"She was found hamstrung this morning in the stable, then," said Taperton; "if you want to hear further particulars, you must ask your friend the Count Radchoffsky!"
"The scoundrel! the black-hearted villain! I see it all!" cried Broughton. "Come, Taperton, let us start! I'll go with you; by Jove, you have found a way to make me eager for the road!"
The lawyer read in the bloodshot eye and flushed face the passion for vengeance that was boiling within him, but he never spoke as they moved on and entered the carriage.
It was full three hours before the expected time of his return, when the chaise in which they travelled drew up at the Clarendon, and Broughton, half wild with rage, dashed upstairs to the suite of splendid rooms he occupied.