The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 62: what you’re looking at

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

TIIL MYSTERIES OF LONDON. #\Well—we shall see!” exclaimed Mr, Podgson. “Dut first as to the probability of success? Let me just make a calculation or two—nothing is done with- cut calculations; and I’m rayther quick at figures. Now, your capital is £8,000,000 in 400,000 shares. Gord! Deposit, £2 2s. per share, Good again! But cbout the expenses and receipts—the oullay and the incomings, on which we may reckon with certainty? Let me see—twwice two’s four—and twice four’s eight —and nine times nine’s eighty one—and cleven times eleven ’s a hundred and twenty one—that gives us five hundred thousand there—then there's two handred thousand here——W ell!’ cried the great man, suddenly interrupting himself in the midst of calculations which, though they were as unintelligible as the Chinese lan- cuage to Mr. Styles, it is to be hoped were a trifle more comprehensive to the gentleman who was making them in amusing, half-whispering tone, and counting mysteriously on his fingers at the same time :—“ well 1” he criel, suddenly desisting from the arithmetical pro- cess with the satisfied air of a man who had arrived at a conviction by means of the most subtle considera- tions,—" well, I do think it will succeed, Mr. Styles— and J-—] —~” « Will condescend to become our Chairman, Mr. Podgzon?” said the other, finishing the sentence which the Railway Lion’s extreme modesty and_ sensitive bashfulness had left thus incomplete. “I am well aware, sir,—and the public are well aware likewise—that you haye entercd into the grand affairs of the Railway World with no interested motive,—that you never tork atsingle share with the idea of making it ameans of gain! No—sir—your views have been ssholly and solely to benefit your fellow countrymen. Indecd, you yourself have proclaimed ay much in your place in the House of Commons—anid the civilised world echoes with the mighty trath! You are a benefactor, sir—a philanthropist—a patriot; and no eardid ideas ever influenced you! It is upon this ground, and on this ground only,-—— without even senturing to hint that there will be five thousand shares reserved for the Chairman and Provisional - Committee-men, and that they are certain to rise to a high premium the moment they are issued,—without daring to mention such a thing in your presence, sir —but relying solely on your known readiness to countenance every fair—legitimate—and honourable undertaking which promises to benefit our fellow-men and produce fifty per cent. profits,—'tis upon these grounds, Mr. Podgson, that I solicit you to become the Chairman of the Grand British Longitudinal Railway!” Mr. Styles narrowly watched the effect which this macnilequent oration produced upon the Rallway Lion; and a3 he beheld the fat, ignoble, vulgar coun- tenance of that stupendous animal slowly expanding with rcatisfaction, he knew that he was as sure of nailing Mr. Podg:on for a Chairma:,ashe was sure of seeing Captain O'Blunderbuss and Mz. Prink Curtis in the afternoon at three o’clock to partake of chops and sherry at Crosby Hall Chambers. Nor was Mr. Bubbleton Styles mistaken, In as dignificd a manncr a3 it was in his nature to assume, and in as good English as it was in his power to employ, the great Mr. Podgson gave his assent to the pronosition; and Mr. Styles was already in the midst of a set speech of thanks, when a pompous-looking livery-servant entered the rcom. “© Well, Thomas—what now ?” demanded Mr. Podg- v0". Do ‘Please, sir,” answered the domestic, whose coun- tenance denoted offended dignity and wounded pride “there ’s a troublesome gentleman down below who says he must and will have a hinterwiew with you, sir-——’ “Must and will!” ejaculated the Railway Lion, sinking back in his chair with an amazement which could not have been greater had some one rushed in to tell him that the Chinese had invaded England and made a Mandarin Lord Mayor of London. “Yes, sir—must and will!” groaned the horrified domestic. ‘Well—I never heard such impudence in my life!” exclaimed Mr. Bubbleton Styles, affecting the deepest indignation—a little piece of hypocrisy which com- pletely won the Railway Lion’s heart. “And does this jserson—for you was wrong to call him a gentleman, John,” said Mr. Podgson, somewhat recovering fiom his stupefaction,—% does this person, who must and will see me—mz, John—-me, Mr. Styles, —does this person, 1 say, give his name or business? ” “Please, sir, he gave me his card,” returned the flunkey; “and here it be.” The high and mighty Railway Lion took the pasteboard between the tips of his thumh and fore- fineer; and having glanced at it, he tossed it with sublime scarn into a waste-paper basket, exclaiming in his rough, disagreeable voice, “ Mr. Clarence Villiers —ch? Well—I suppose Id better sec him. Don’t move, Mr. Styles: you shall just see how I'll serve the insolent fellow that, must and will have an interview with wpe!” The domestic retreated without turning his back upon his master,—or, in other words, stepped back~ wards to the door, as if lhe were quitting the presence of Royalty; and Mr. Styles again vented his well- affected indignation and surprise that “ people should be sv bold and inconsiderate as to obtrude themselves into the presence of Mr. Podgson in such a manner.” “Dold and inconsiderate!” repeated the Railway Lion. ‘It 1s owdacious and intolerable.” “Shameful!” cricd Mr. Styles. “Perfectly insupportable!” vociferated Mr. Podg- son. “ Monstreus in the extreme!” exclaimed Mr. Bub- bleton Styles, actually working himself up into a passion. “ But I'll put a stop to it!” continued the Railway Lion, dealing a tremendous blow with his clenched fist upon the table: “Jl bring in a Bill next Session, Mr. Styles, to protect public men from insolent in- trugion 1” “Jt will serve the scoundrels quite right, my dear sir,” responded the small spcculator, approvingly. “By Gad! IH pay the reskels off for it!” ex- claimed the mighty man, who could command hun- dreds of thousands of pounds, but not the minutest fraction of his temper. The door now opened again; and the pompous do- mestic, whose countenance was expressive of deep iudignation, ushered in the reader’s old friend—Mr. Clarence Vilhers,—now a fine, handsome man, in the prime of life. “Well, sir—and what do you want?” demanded Mr. Podgson, with all the overbearing insolence of a contemptible pearuestt “In the first place, sir,” replied Clarence, speaking in adirm but gentlemanly tone, and giancing towards the servant who lingercd near the door, “I must take the iberty o, advising you to recommend your lacqueys (C(O) DOO (C <S LL (SO)