The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 276: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF ‘THE COURT. 263 LLL TS LL LA A a a Se ST aR a SSeS atest o-pasietare wneinmamanslsuenangeegee> At thie moment the door opened 3 end a clerk carry the conse up to the House of Lords and pros entered, saying, “ If you please, sir, Mr. Oxendon | cure a divoree ” 4 wishes tq seg you,” “That is my meaning—those are my objects,” “ Mp, Oxenden ” repeated the lawyer. “ Mfa-| was the reply. “{ will never rest until I have thinks | know the pame—and yet I canyot recol- | punished that villanous seducer of my wife.” lect-——” * And the evidence which you have to bring “Tt ig that old gentleman, sir, who lives at | forward?” asked Mr. Coleiten. Brighton,” said the clerk; “and against whom; “ What evidence ean be better than thet the you were once employed by some creditor—ywhen, | depraved goman is living under the protection of if you please to recollect, sir, Mrs. Oxenden called | the Duke of Marchmont ? He hae taken « house —6 fine, tall, handsome lady—and she brought @ | for her—be has sypptied her with equipages—with cheque, which she had received from Sir John | horses and servants—he visits her frequentiy———” Bteward, to settle the business.” “Tf all thie sain be proved, is fe enficient,” in- “ Ah, I remember!” ejaculated Mr. Colem ferrapyed *Colemen. “I will make notes of the dahil a new give me+-I qiil institute But I cannot see Mr. Oxenden now—I engaged-——” tnguirieg end you will favour me with another * Wait one instant!” cried Mr. Redcliffe, whose in'a day de ‘to, I chail be better enabled to give yeu my opin interest and curiosity had been awakened py the ion upon the ease.” discoyrse. “ You had better seo this Mr.Oxendens| Mer. Oxend scbordingly took his departure; I havo reasons which I will explain.” end ieawediatel afterwards Mr. Armytago was ennounced. Though Bee's father was not above “ Then ask him to walk up, said the lawyer, thy turning to his clerk ; “and should Mr. “Armytage sfwo yours of yet he looked elder; for re eare sad sje had & . , call, bid him wait—be sure to bid him wait The clerk withdrew; and Mr. Redoliffe said, “ With your permission [ will retire inte the pest room—that room where, according to our arrange. ment, I am to be concealed when Arinytage visits ou.” cS nee By all means!” saifl the lawyer: and rising from his seat, he follo#ed Mr. Redcliffe into the adjacent room. “ But about this Mr. Oxep- den »» ; + being in a condition to livia sum of money “ His wife,” interrupted Redcliffe, “is now the | —-Bit rather with the of one who, as mistress of him whose name I can never breathe | Mr. Coleman hei’ expented, came to eue for grace, unless to asauciate it with some fresh deed of crime | lenioncy, and forbearance. The tawyer did not, or profligacy. My God! alas that i¢ should be | however suffer his countenance to betray that he vo! I know much of these Oxendeng—I mean | thys anticipated what Armytage’s finansial pusi- by repute——or rather, I should say, by informa. ; tion might-really be: bat with all ‘civility be mo- tion which I have received from the lips of Obrig- | tioned him to & seat; and then resuming his own tian, who was at the house of that very Sir John | place at the dewk, began untying the red tape Steward at Ramagate——” which beld together a na@usber of deade. Here Mr. Redcliffe’s obscrvations were cut short; “ Well, Mr. Armytege,” snid Coleman, “ £ pro- by the optning of the door of the adjacent room, | sume from your panctuality that you are here te Mr. Coleman accordingly left him in hig place of | sattie the basiness dovording to agreement. And concealment, and hastened to reecive Mr. Oxen- | it & very fortunate, Inasmuch ae my elicnt——" den. “Your elient Whnts the money?” said Ariny- “ There are particular circumstances, sir,” be- | tage, with feverish excitement. ‘f Then it se a gan Mr. Oxenden, as he took the seat which was client who has advanced it? iI6¢ is not your- offered him, “that render it necessary for meto/selfP’ ° | engage the assistance of some eminent and re-; “I indeed!” ejaculated Mr. Coleman. “TI cam epectable solicitor. I have no lawyer of my own; | assure you thet the legal profession now-a-days is and you indeed are the only professionel} gentie- | not quite eo flourishing ae te enable ene who man in London with whom [ have any acquaint- practlese it, to advance fifty thousand pounde——” ance. Will you act for me P” . “ Good heavens! what am I to dof’ moaned “If you will explain, Mr. Oxenden, the cir-/ the wretched Armytage, clasping his hands in de- eumstances to which you allude,” said Mr. Cole- | spair. man, “I shal} be enabled to give yon an answer.” | “Am TI to understand,” inquired Mr. Coleman, “ My wife has been taken from me,” resifmed | “ that you have come unprepared with a eheque the old gentleman: “she has been seduced from | for this amount—an amount which you so e- my arms by one who is very highly placed! I | lemnty undertook to pay, and for whieh you gave moan the Duke of Marchmont. I must punish | mo this warrant of agtorney, exercising full power ‘the seducer—and I must procare ap eternal sepa: ! over your n as well as your property-——” ration from the women who has dishonoured me.; “@ God ! you would cot take my person Thies re the reason that I require profersional as-; you would not plunge me into a gaol?’ cried sistance ; and whatecever amount you may de- | Armytege, looking as iff freosy bad euddealy mand in advance, I am ready to pay it.” seized upon him. You mean, Mr. Oxenden,” aaid the lawyer, in- | “I have already informed you," responded Mr, Quiringly, “$hat you p to bring an action | Coleman, “ that it i not my money whieh you for demAges mérks fa | ly grey: there were deep lines upon Ria $ or : ay thigavinel cold worldly-minded dalaulation © features had been wont to avaz, had tecome. subdugd--or we whould perhaps aay had changed intone of bettled wretchedvess. He entered the office with the mingled servous- ness and humility of a mau who was very far from against the Duke of Marchmont—/ heve had; it ie that ofa client. I am nots these- ccesaful therein, you will| ford acting for tnyseif—but for another; end J and that if you be su COMIC OOO© SS (CO)