The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 204: what you’re looking at

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

[eee ee ae ne, ee THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “It is really useless to spoil a good sheet of paper, my lord,” wes the merebant’s coldly con- temptuous reply, as be looked up the safe. The Viscount effected to laugh: but he bit his lip with deep eoncentrated rage,as he thought within himeelf, “ Insult upon insult! The purse- _ pride af thie up-start plebeian is intolerable!” While that expression of impotent fury was atill: upon Rueshbrook’s countenanee, the full gase of Latham’s cold blue eyes-was suddenly turned upon him—indeed with an abruptness that meade Rush- brook start. But again recovering his self- possession, he ran his fingers through his dank hair, —saying with another laugh, “Now, then, fur this bottle which is promised.” Sir Frederick Latham led the way back to the dining-room—rang the bell—and gave the order for the wine. As he eate for another half-hour with the Viscount, his discourse again turned upon general topics; and he spoke precisely as if no- thing unpleasant had taken place,—while his de- meanour exhibited that courtesy, so coldly polished, which was habitual with him. The freeh supply of wine being finished, the merchant abd the Vis. count repaired to the drawing-room,—where they partook of coffee with Anastatia; and the young lady had not tho slightest reason to suspect that anything of a disagreeable character had occurred betwixt her husband and*her brother. It was about eleven o'clock when the Viscount’s dashing phaeton was driven round, by the exqui- sitely dressed groom, from the stables to the front of the mansion. The night was very dark; and the lamps of ‘the vehicle were lighted. Lord Rush- brook, having taken leave of his sister and his brother-in-law, paused for a few moments in the hall to light a:cigar; and he then ascended to the box-seat,—receiving the whip and reins from the hands of his groom. He was somewhat the worse for the great quantity of wine which he had drunk; and the domestic, if he had dared, would havo remonstrated against his master’s undertak- ing tp drive on the occasion: but he knew the Viseount’s temper, and accordjngly held his peace. Ilia lordship wes in rare spirits: ho had the two thousand pounds in his pocket—he was elated with wine—he was proud of his beautiful turn-out— and the impression of the disagrecable scene with hie brother-in-law having now completely worn off, he said to bineelf, “Since Latham never refuses his money, I shan’t hesitate in future ia applying to him even oftener than I have hitherto done.” The equipage dashed along the avenue towards the gates which were thrown open by the porter; and as tho steeds flew through that entrence-way, the groom notieed with a shudder ‘how closely the wheel whisked past the iron post. The road upon which they entered, was broad aud even« the horses know that they were returning homeward ; and ‘they proceeded at a rapid rate. The equipage had scarcely gone a quarter of a mile from the gates, when on turning a somewhat sharp cosner, the phaston dashed against a post, and was insten- taneously overturned. ‘. The groom wee stunned, and lay senssless on the road: but as if the adage should be fulfilled: which declares “there is a special provillenes for: drunken men end children,” the Viesount escaped: totally-unhurt. He was inatantancously upon his feet; and he fancied that a man, wearidg some eran gg RR ALO Af SIE Raa OTe, 191 atrange white dress, was at the horece’ haade —to which indeed the stranger bad instantaneously rushed, he being on that very epat at the time so that the wild progress of the animals was arrested, “Thank ypu, my goed fellow !" said Rushbrook, shaking himself ag he sprang up to his feet. “Just hold on there for a moment while I look to the groom. Ah!” he oontinued, having examined his dependant, “be is stunned, but not killed. Well! that’s lucky. And now for the carriage. Well, by heaven! thie is lucky again! Nothing broken that I can see, exeept the lamps. I think those horses will stand now. Just come and lend me a hand to eet the phaeton up- right.” The man to whom these word were addressed, did not give utterance toa syllable in reply: but still he appeared to comprehend what wae said ; for having patted the horses’s necks, he approached the Viscount. “Why, you are a Lascar-or a Chinaman—s eyo something of the sort?” exclaimed ushbrook, as the man emerged from the com- parative obscurity: for the lights of both the lamps were extinguished—tbhere were no gas-lamps in that part of the road—nor was there any house near. “Why the deuce don’é you speak. You eeom to understand me.” The Lascar made a sign that he was dumb: but he at once addressed himeelf to tho business of raising the phaeton,--which he did in a very few moments by his own unaided strength. The groom was now recovering; and the Lasear, lift. ing the man in his powerful arms, placed bim in the vehicle. “You are a very useful fellow,” said the Vis- eount; “and I:can’t think of giving you less than five shillings for your sorvices.” " Thus speaking, the nobleman thrust his hand into his breaches’ pockgt ; and with that careless- ness which was partially characteristic, and par- tially the result of his inebriate condition, he pulled forth all the contents of that pdcket ~gold, silver, and bank-notes. Quick as lightning the Lascar seized upqn the notes: it was ono rapid cluteh which he made at them; and the next in- stant he was darting away as quick as his lege could carry him. “Stop thief£J’ vociferated the Viscount, wild with rage and fury: but even before his voice had ceased t> yibrate in the air, tho white garments of the robber were lost in the darkness of the night. A terrible execration burst from Rushbrook’s lips: but he dered not speed in pursuit. In the firat place, he was a coward: ideas of daggers and knives connected with that Lascoar, swept through his brain ;~-end in the seeond Paes, he daved ~ uit the equipage.: Iiis hasty ejaculations start the zroom alasost completely back into life; and he said, “ What is the matter, my lord ?” Bushbrook was on the very point of proclaiming the extent to which he had been robbed,—when it struck him that if he were to do so, he must m- evitably cut the figure of the vertest destard in-the eyes of his dependent,. for not having at ance pursued the plundeser. Thus, though almost maddened with vexation, his pride nevertheless ‘inepived isin with. saticient celf-possedsion to. make ef | COLUM LOAO© SS (CO)