The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 199: what you’re looking at

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

a a SY 186 a o> a gee ¢ THE MYSTERIES OF TITE COUNT. thing bordering upon a calm, or rather suppressed dame Angelique’s note which she had received— indignation in the tone and look of the patrician , she swept them all into her desk—at the same dady. “ Ab, well, wa’am— it’s all very fine,” ejaculated Shadbolt, “for your ladyship to make this etate- ment: but thero is Madame Angolique’s counter- statement-———” “TI repeat, sir,” interrupted Lady Anastatia haughtily, “thoro is somo mistake! I will how- ever look over my accounts, and see whether by any posmbility there 18s one of Madame Angelique’s which has remained unpaid, I am however poste tivo that all the bills are here:”-—and she indicated the receipted accounts which lay upon the table. “And I am equally positive, my lady,” re- ‘spovccd Shadbolt, “that you @» owe Madame Angelique this aioney—no matter whether an ac- count has been sent in or not.” Anustatia bad already shown more coldness and more hauteur, more indjgnan’ impatience and more proud dignity, in the space of a.few minutes than she bad ever done before: buf.it was now: with the very hauhticat indignation and tho very utmost of her indignant pride, that drawing ber fino form up to its full height, she'bent her beauti- ful blue eyes upon the intending extortioner,— saying, “This is the first time my word was ever doubted: and your conduct is bordering upon in- solence. You can retire, air. I will myself com- municate with Madame Angelique inthe course of a day or two.” “Vory good, my lady,” seid Shadbolt, who was more than half inclined tc speak with a atill greater degree of insolence. “Mind you don’t forget.” He then strolled jauntily out of the room; and Avastatia felé so hurt—her feelings were so wounded, ber pride was eo insulted—that she could ecarcely keep back an outburst of tears. Not for a moment did she suspect the real purport of the note and the real object of the visitor —namely, that an extortion was intended: she firsily bo- lieved it, was all a mistake on Madame Angelique’s part, but that the ex-milliner had entrusted her business to a very rude person whose coarse vélgar manners were ill calculated to qualify him for such a mission. A being of Anastatia’s natural gentleness and amiability, felt auch a scene as thie far more than a worldly-minded woman would have done; and the very cffurt of summoning up her dignity, as well as that unwonted display of indignation, were fullowed by a reaction, whiob, as we have just paid, almost reduced her to the woaknese of tears. Shadbolt had not left the room many moments whon Sir Frederick Latbam entered. “T have just received a note from your brother, Anastatis,” be eid, “in which the Viscount tells me——But you look dist ? Has anything happened to anney you P” y with that calmly The question was put in@'nedcriek. was wont to kind courtesy which observe towards his wif; arfd ther® was perhaps a slight expression of cencern on his countenance :. but there was no endearment of manuer—no eeressing encouragement—no solace conveyed in eympathising anticipation of whatsoever might be told him. Anastatia’s grief was now suddenly mingled with confusion: and hastily gathering ap the papers which lay upon the tablo—namely, zegeipted bills whieh she had produced, and Ma- -. ue 2 aE, @p oases = =_ = @p oo ome ot a BB ef ewes & & in on SS a8 avers ew," “Sa TNe euehss o SE time faltering forth, “No, no—nothing bas an- noyed me !”’ “I am glad to bear it,” said Sir Frederick Latham: but for a few moments his cold blue oyes were fixed steadily and acarchingly upon his wife. You have had a letter ffom my brother ?” she said, now partially refraining her self-posscssion : and at the very instant she raised her own eyes towards her husband's countenance, his looks were withdrawn from her, as if he would not for the world have it supposed that ho was in any way surprised or troubled by the confusion of her man- ner and the singularity of her conduct. “Yos—I have reocived a note from Viscount Ruehbrook,” continued Sir Frederick Latham, the calmness of whose luok and manner completely restored Anastatia to her own self-possession. “ His lordehip announces his intention of coming to dine with us to-day; and as he moreover hints that he has a little private business on which he ie desirous to speak to me——’” “T*hope—I hope,” murmured Anastatia, as if seixed with some new causo of vexation, “ that my brother Robert ——” “Do not by any moans annoy yourself,” con- tinued Sir Frederick, in the eame calm imper- turbable manner as before. “It is not on that account I mentioned the cireumstance of his letter. It was simply to learn whether you expect any friends to dine with us to-day———” “No, Sir Fvederick,” responded Anastatia. “You are well aware that I never issue invita- tions without previously eoveulting your con- venience——-—" “You aro welcome to do so at any time you may think fit,” answered Sir Frederick, but more with the air of one who was conveying a permis- sion than who was bidding his wife exercise e right whieh was indisputably her own. “On my pert I hevevinvited no one to dine with ys to-day; and:therefore if*is somewhat fortunate that after dinner I shalt be left alone with your brother —— I mean merely because he intimates that ho bas some business of importance on which to consult me.” “TY have not seen Robert for some months past,” said Anastatia; “and I hope in the namo of heaven ” “ Again I tell you nat to distress yourself,” in- terrupted Sir Frederick. a little pecuniary assistance, he shall havo it. Thank God, Lady Anastatia, your husband is a man who can afford it, without the slightest detri- ment to his own interests.” ‘ “T know you are very t}ch,” said her ladysbip : and then, as she looked tearfully up into her hus- band’s countenance, she added, “ But it is really too bad of Robert——” “He exercises the privilege of a brother-ix- law,” remarked Sir Frodorwk: and there might perhaps have been a faint—though very faint ex- pression of irony in his tone: but Anastatia per- ceived it nat. “ You. have been so good to him—you have done so much,” she said,—“ and under such fearful cir- the | cumstances too———” “Lady Anastatia,” interrupted Sir Frederick, wb = 6 eo UD eter “lf it is a mattor of LS A RD = eee eee epee TE Ey oe ECOMRniclacae (CO)