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Rh witty as usual; but the wily nobleman succeeded, under the cover of wit, in conveying to Brandon's mind a serious apprehension lest his cherished matrimonial project should altogether fail. The account of Lucy and of Captain Clifford contained in the epistle, instilled, indeed, a double portion of sourness into the professionally acrid mind of the lawyer; and as it so happened that he read the letter just before attending the Court upon a case in which he was Counsel to the Crown, the witnesses on the opposite side of the question felt the full effects of the Barrister's ill-humour.

The case was one in which the defendant had been engaged in swindling transactions to a very large amount—and, amid his agents and assistants, was a person ranking among the very lowest orders—but who, seemingly enjoying large connexions, and possessing natural acuteness and address, appeared to have been of great use in receiving and disposing of such goods as were fraudulently obtained. As a witness against the latter person appeared a pawnbroker, who