You perceive I cannot rise, at least without great pain and inconvenience.
My enemy, the gout, has possession of me again.

Take a seat.

Are you staying in town ?" "I have just arrived from West Lynne.

The chief object of my journey was to see your lordship." "What can I do for you ?" asked the earl, uneasily; for a suspicion had crossed his mind that Mr.Carlyle might be acting for some one of his many troublesome creditors.
Mr.Carlyle drew his chair nearer to the earl, and spoke in a low tone,-- "A rumor came to my ears, my lord, that East Lynne was in the market." "A moment, sir," exclaimed the earl, with reserve, not to say hauteur in his tone, for his suspicions were gaining ground; "are we to converse confidentially together, as men of honor, or is there something concealed behind ?" "I do not understand you," said Mr.Carlyle.
"In a word--excuse my speaking plainly, but I must feel my ground--are you here on the part of some of my rascally creditors, to pump information out of me, that otherwise they would not get ?" "My lord," uttered the visitor, "I should be incapable of so dishonorable an action.

I know that a lawyer gets credit for possessing but lax notions on the score of honor, but you can scarcely suspect that I should be guilty of underhand work toward you.