The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 35: what you’re looking at

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49 \ bind the seones. ‘Well, you see, ma'am, these cir- cumstances I have been mentioning ~snd others that are known to the Commissioncrs—*have made the matter serions enovfgh. ‘Your enemies are too powerful—ang thay will breek up your egteblish- ment for you, if you don’t break it up for yguraelf, You say you are pretty warms why not retire at qnee F te Brance.” Madame Angelique looked bewijdered; and in the confusion of her thoughts she wag led tp con- | fess that on account of cortain incidgnats with regard to the decaying of young women from Franoc, Relgium, and some of the German States, it would he very inconvenient, or even perilous, for Ifer to aet foot on the Continent at all. “ Wall then, remain ip Kagland,” ejacylited Mr. Shadbolt. “Now I will show you how the matter stands. There is to be @ proseration, if my report shows that thore is evidence to support it. Of course the Oommiesiopers think that I come here only as a spy, and not to give you any private advice. They imagine that whatever I told them after my firat visit hepp, was only gleaned in the course of conversation—ang not on account of any private understanding botwixt you and me. They believe they can rely “pon me: and so they have sent me here again on this pro- aent accasion. Now, I nead not make my report for @ day or two—-I gan pretend that I bad other bnsiness—or that I could not obtain admission. therefore you can dismiss the To-morrow girlse———”’ “And give up the establishment!” added Madame Angelique, in a decided tone: for her mind was now relieved in more ways than one, and she wae enabled to hreathe more freely than she had done for same time past. “Why break up the millinery part of the estab- lishment f” inquired Shadbolt. “I did not mean | portan that.” e ‘The millinery branch,” responded the Jrench- woman, “je nothing in comparison with the other. Though I have planty of custom, yet what with long credit, and some of the highest families never thinking of paying at all—what with the expenses toa——--Beaides, Mr. Shadbolt,” added the milliner, in a tone of confidence, “ half my Jady-cystomers would ledve uy the moment{this house ceased to be one of accommodation. “So it is decided!—lI give up everything, and | retire on my means. As for the gina, J know whore to place them at ence——And,” add the Frenchwoman to herself, “TI can ture o last popny by each of them.” “Well then, retire l” egalsimed Mr. Shadbolt; “and when you are out of business, | will show more money than ever you have “YouS" ejesulaied Madame Angoliqua “Yea, I—even I, honest Ike Shadbolt} But no matter new; you shall know all whem tho time omen, Go and settle dawn in same garni orteble lace-wsome pretty little ville on fhe el make it I af the weok, and abali thes report to the ry Spy atta ares tee twp, 4 moans of eomuppniention between the tea THE MBATSRIPS OF THE COURT. madam, if you think all this advice of mine, and all the gnod I am going to da you, js worth any- thing—r" “Qh, to be sure,” ejaculated Madame Angelique, who, though ake comprehended gll the selfishness of Shadbolt’s disgositiqn, waa nevertheless but tao glad te secure his good offices. A liberal gratuity was therefore placed in his hand: and he took his departure,—the Prench- woman not thinking it necessary to allow him to retrace his way thrqugh the salnan, but ringing the bell for the liveried fogtman to show him out by the front door of her own house. About ten minates afterwards the Duke af Marohmont was announced, CHAPTER LXXXVIT. TUR MILLINER AND THE DUKE. ¢ THE Duke, whose countenance was pale and care- worn,and who by hie looks had evidently suffured much of late, endeavoured to put on the smile of gras cious affability as he entered the luxurious apart- ment where Madame Angelique was seated. It 00- curred to him that she bowed somewhat more dis- tantly than was her wont—or at least with an air of greate? independance, if not actually commiugled with coldness. He threw himself upon a seut— glanced at her fur a moment, as if to assure himself whether thore were really any studied change in her manner—and then he said, “ Well, myable friend, assistant, and accomplice, have you thought of any fresh project——” “I have just decided, my lord,” responded Ma- dame Angelique, “upon a most seriqus and im- tone.” Indeed !” ejacylated the Duke eagerly. “ And it is this thet gives you such an air of mingled gravity and confidence? It is one, therefore, that will rid you—or perhaps I may say we—for over from all fear of vindictive persecution at the hands of Indora ?” “Ino longer fear her persecutions, my lord,” rejoined the Frenchwomen: and ber tone was now unmistakeably cold, while her manner was stiff. , “I do not understand you!” exclaimed the Duke, not knowing what to think. ,“Has any- thing happened to JndoraP hae anythjug beon done? Haye you in your astuteness dovised some- thing better than the aid of Sagoonah’s dagger or 9 reptile from the Zoologieal Gardens P” “‘ Heaven be thanked,” cried the Wrenchwoman, “that neither the ateel blade nor the sprpeat did the work of death! My eongcience is ab least not burthened with that crime.”. “Then what do you mean?” asked the noble. map, naw qamplotely bewildered, gnd slarmed likewise by whatecaver appeured strangely sinister in the ofherwige incomprehennible look, tone, and manner of Medame Angelique. “What ig this tan which you have decided (”’ het a which ¥ break up my establishment altagether— retire into a pleasant little ville—gnd live:ia com- fort for tha seeh of my days, apart from all in- he Pubs of Maschmont was Go theve: will ha enend of prasenations| | As aad all ether unplensanteess. And vow, my dear | the render in awgre, be wee {n mo of the COMIC OOOKS.COM