The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 118: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ee ® You heard the remark that fell from the lips of Miss Fitzhardinge? ” “Yes—yes,” returned Mr. Percival. “We shalt most likely do business together—most likely,” he re- peated. “At the same time, I must see my way very clearly ——” “ And we must be careful not to reveal unnecessarily any more of the important secrets of which we are the depositories,” said Perdita. “ Quite right, young lady!” exclaimed the miser, who experienced no slight degree of embarrassment: for he was afraid, on the one hand, of letting a good chance slip through his fingers—and he was fearful, on the other, of admitting that he had ample resources immediately available. Not that Percival dreaded on the part of Mrs. Fitz- hardinge the same attempt at extertion, or rather of ob- taining restitution, which had been made by Mr. Tor- rens; because he knew full well that she was occupying afalse position inthe world, and living underan assumed name as well as himself;—and should she take it into her head to threaten him with an exposure as being no other than Howard the run-away attorney, he could in a moment retaliate by proclaiming her to be Mrs. Slingsby—or Mrs. ‘Torrens—the woman who had been transported for forgery ! No :—Mr. Percival dreaded not menace on the part ' of Mrs. Fitzhardinge; but the naturally suspicious disposition of the mmiser, and the vague fears that ever haunt the avaricious man when questioned as to the amount and whereabouts of his resources—these were the influences which made Percival hesitate to plunge too precipitately into the transaction now submitted for his consideration. “Well, sir,—are you prepared to negociate with us —or not?” demanded Perdita, after a short pause, during which the miser fidgetted nervously upon his chair. “Tt all depends, Miss—-it all depends on the amount your noble friend requires,” he answered at length. “The entire business is left in our hands,” said Mrs. Fitzhardinge ; “and we wish to raise between five and six thousand pounds in the first instance——” “Of which one thousand must be paid to-night,” added Perdita, ‘as an earnest that the transaction is seriously entered into.” “A thousand pounds to-night!” cried the miser. “But how is that possible—even if Y had the money in the house,” he asked, looking anxiously around, and sinking his voice to a low whisper,—“ how is it possible, I say, since the young nobleman is not here to give me any acknowledgment?” “ This objection was naturally anticipated by us,” replied Perdita. ‘ Viscount Marston, instead of send- ing us the papers this evening, did us the honour to call personally with them; and his lordship confided to me,—and to me alone,” added Perdita, with a rapid glance of triumphant meaning at her mother,—“his note of hand for one thousand guineas,” “T must congratulate you, my dear madam,” ex- claimed Percival, addressing himself with a smile to the old woman,—“I must congratulate you on pos- sessing a daughter of the most business-like character in the person of Miss Iitzhardinge.” “‘Then pray let us transact our present affairs in a business-like manner,” said Perdita, who was rapidly putting herself more forward in the matter, and propor- tionately throwing her mother into the back-ground : so that the old woman more than once bit her lip to restrain her rising choler;—but, remembering the \ THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. Lil terrific scene of the m_ ing, she saw no alternative save to allow her daughter to have her own way— trusting, however, to the chapter of accidents to re- store toher in the long run that paramount influence which she lad lost. “You wish me to discount at once that note of hand for a thousand guineas?” said the miser, fixing his eyes admiringly on Perdita’s splendid countenance. ‘‘Yes—as an earnest that you are not prompted by mere curiosity to look farther into this most extra- ordinary, mysterious, and yet easily understood affair,” replied Perdita. “TI will accede to your terms, Miss Fitzhardinge,” said Percival, after afew minutes’ deliberation,——“ pro- vided that the documents in your possession bear out your mother’s statements.” “Place the money on the table, sir,” returned the young woman, in ber quiet though somewhat impe- rious manner; “and these papers,” she added, pro- ducing a sealed packet at the same time, “shall be submitted to your perusal.” “Good!” cried the miser. He then rose from his seat; and, having once more cast a furtive Jook around him, as if it were possible for an intruder to secrete himself in a room fourteen feet by ten, and which the three inmates already nearly filled, He proceeded to open an iron safe that was fitted into a kind of cupboard in one corner. Thence he took forth a tin cash-box, which, when opened, revealed heaps of Bank-notes, and a large amount in gold, “There, ladies,” said he: “I have now convinced you of my ability to proceed farther in thistransaction ; and it is your turn, Miss,” he added, looking at Per- dita, “to take the next step.” Granted!” was the reply; and, opening the packet, she handed the several papers, which were properly classed and numbered, one by one to the miser,—re- ceiving back each before she gave him the next fol- lowing. Mr. Percival read the documents without much emotion. His pecuniary avocations had blunted the sentiment of curiosity in his soul: he viewed the matter only in a business-light;—and so long as the security was good, he cared not if all the highwaymen in the world should turn out to be noblemen in their own right. He thought of the profits that might arise from ministering to the extravagances, as he supposed, of a young nobleman having excellent cer- tainties in the perspective; and if was not of the slightest importance to him how Mrs. Fitzhardinge .and Perdita had contrived to inveigle him into their meshes—how they had gotten possession of the papers —or how the money raised was to be expended. “This is completely satisfactory as far as it goes,” he said, returning to the young woman the tast paper which she had placed in his hand. ‘ The documents show that Rainford is the real Earl of Ellingham; but there is no evidence to prove that your Charles Hat- field is his son.” .“ We are well convinced of that fact, said Mrs. Fitzhardinge. ““Yes—I suppose it may be admitted,” observed Rercival, who had not the least idea that Charles Hatfield had ever passed and was still passing as the nephew of those who were really his parents. “ But there Js still one question which must be fully cleared up;—and this is the legitimacy of the young man’s birth. If he be the lawfully begotten son of the right- ful owner of the title and estatesof the Earldom— (C(O) (C DOO SS (SO)