CHAPTER VII.
How Lord Roos obtained Sir Francis Mitchell's signature.
"What, my prince of usurers!" exclaimed Lord Roos, in a mocking tone; "my worthy money-lender, who never takes more than cent.

per cent., and art ill content with less; who never exacts more than the penalty of thy bond,--unless more may be got; who never drives a hard bargain with a needy man--by thine own account; who never persecutes a debtor--as the prisons shall vouch for thee; who art just in all thy transactions--as every man who hath had dealings with thee will affirm; and who knows not how to lie, to cheat, to cozen--as some usurers do." "You are pleasant, my lord," Sir Francis replied.
"I mean to be so," Lord Roos said; "for I esteem thee for thy rare qualities.

I know not thy peer for cunning and knavery.

Thy mischievous schemes are so well-conceived that they prove thee to have an absolute genius for villany.

Scruples thou hast none; and considerations and feelings which might move men less obdurate than thyself, have no influence over thee.