A Just Debtor
ON one occasion Lord Alvanley had promised a person 100l. as a bribe,
to conceal something which would have involved the reputation of a lady.
On that person's application for the money, his lordship wrote a check
for 25l. and presented it to him. But, my lord, you promised me
100l.--True, said his lordship, I did so; but you know, Mr. ----,
that I am now making arrangements with all my creditors at 5s. in the
pound. Now you must see, Mr. ----, that if I were to pay you at a
higher rate than I pay them, I should be doing my creditors an
injustice!