about nine o'clock in the evening
Those might very probably go as far as fifteen hundred pounds on his behalf , who could not be brought to think of twelve thousand pounds -- it being borne in mind , that one alone of Mr. Aubrey 's friends , Lord De la Zouch , was already liable , on his behalf , to some eleven thousand pounds , which would become payable on the ensuing 24th of January . But the mask was not yet to be thrown off ; Gammon resolved to appear the firm friend of Mr. Aubrey to the last ; deprecating vehemently , and striving to avert from him , the very proceedings which he was all the while , with secret skill and vigor , urging on against him . He determined , therefore , to recall Titmouse 's attention to the two promissory notes for £ 5,000 each ; to pretend reluctance to allow them to be put in suit , and yet give him clearly to understand that _ he _ might do so , without fear of giving mortal offence to Mr. Gammon . At the moment of the reader 's being reintroduced to Mr. Gammon , that gentleman was sitting , about nine o'clock in the evening , at his chambers , beside a table , on which were placed a lamp , a number of papers , and coffee . In one hand he held the rough draft of his rent-charge , which had that day been sent to him by Mr. Frankpledge , and he was occasionally making pencil memoranda on the margin as he went along . He would sometimes pause in his task , as if his thoughts wandered to other subjects ; his countenance looked harassed , his ample brow seemed laden with anxiety . Certainly , great as was his energy , clear as was his head , and accustomed as he was to the despatch of business of even the most difficult and varied description , all his powers were at that moment taxed to their very uttermost stretch , as a hasty glance round the room would have satisfied the reader .