When it comes to that, it is 'first come, first served,' and I got down by morning light, and levied an execution." "Which was levied before you came," put in a man who might be brother to the two upstairs, to judge by his nose.

"But what's such furniture as this to our claims--if you come to combine 'em?
No more than a bucket of water is to the Thames." "What can I do ?" shivered Lady Isabel.

"What is it you wish me to do?
I have no money to give you, I--" "No, miss," broke in a quiet, pale man; "if report tells me, you are worse wronged than we are, for you won't have a roof to put your head under, or a guinea to call your own." "He has been a scoundrel to everybody," interrupted an intemperate voice; "he has ruined thousands." The speech was hissed down; even they were not men gratuitously to insult a delicate young lady.
"Perhaps you'll just answer us a question, miss," persisted the voice, in spite of the hisses.

"Is there any ready money that can--" But another person had entered the room--Mr.Carlyle.

He caught sight of the white face and trembling hands of Isabel, and interrupted the last speaker with scant ceremony.
"What is the meaning of this ?" he demanded, in a tone of authority.
"What do you want ?" "If you are a friend of the late peer's, you ought to know what we want," was the response.