The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

HE MYSTIRIES op rus‘covar. Frinccss Indora: be had the most cogent reasons for destrbjitig her life, ao that ho wight ailente her for ever; atd here was the hitherto useful and willing “gout of whom he had made a tool for the putpose of giftying out his fell design,—tere she Was, Wo aay, saddehly slipping owe of his hands! “Yoti surely cannot be serious?’ he at length faltored out? “you would not abandon a business — patdot ihe, ah avocation—which is so lucra- tivo Pp’ “And which makes ime the dupe of others!” rejuined Madame Angelique, with emphatis tone and significant look, “What méin youf”’ itiquired Marohtaont. “‘Yout words seem pointed—and yet to one who Has always been your friend———” “You have paid me, my ford, for the services which I have rendered,” answered Madame An- gelique; “and on that score we arp quits. But you have endeavoured to render me your fustro- rhent in the accomplishment of a deed from which I now recoil with horror,—yes, and even with wonder that I could have ever contemplated it! With all the arts of sophistry you led*me to be. heve that f incurred the most terrific dangers at Indora’s hands——” “And had you not the proof?” inquired the Duke, vainly endeavouring ¢o conceal the bitter vexation and even the terror which he experienced. “Did not an agent of the policco—~” ° “ Yes—ho came, certainly ; but I was altogether mistaken o8.to th8 origin of his visit. In one word, my Lord Duke, the Lady Indora hase nuthing to do with this proceeding on the part of the Com- missioners of Police: it all emanates from some wealthy person in the back-ground, who acts through the medium of his attorney, Mr. Cole- man.” " Coleman—Colemah & said the Duke, thus re- peating the name in a musing tone. “Surely I have heard it befure—and somewhat recently too. Coleman? Ab! I recollect !—it in that lawyer who has beenadvancing Armytage such considerable sums of money |” “Do you then know anything of this Mr. Cole- man, my lord P” inquired the Frenchwoman, “ But it matters not~—-My mind is made up how to act. Fam this evening more at ease than for a long time past I have been ; and nevor—never will [ ageia suffer myself ty be beguiled by the representations of one who was all the time endeavourinf to serve his own purposes.” “You allude to me,” ejaculated the Duke, as- suming an air of indignation; “and you wrong ine! [ thought you in danger from that quar- ter ——.*"? “ Well, well, my lord, we will not dispute the point,” interrupted Madame Angelique: and then she ironically added, “I have no doubt your Grace will now congratulate me on having acquired the certainty that I am no longer in any peril from that quarter P” “Oh, of course!” exclaimed Marchmont; *if it But beware, my good friend, hdw lulled into @ false secu. the blow falle ted the milliner, feally 19 80. you suifer yourself to be rity. It is at such times that heaviest-———-" af “Thank you, my, lord,” i "Tf ain fully prepared to meet that sort. To-morrow I dismiss the girls—or o contingendies of | 58 tather I find. them protestors, as and coeilant friesd who stands in dhe ight ‘of bale mother ought 6 do.” amie Migilique chuckled at her own dis- gesting levity and the an instent bit is lip @ith vexation,: He saw that the milliner was resolute in the plan abd had prociaiaied : he saw too how Hopeless if was to attempt to enlist het services any farther in the prosecution of his designs; and he likewise felt how necessary it was fo kéep on fritndly terms with ber. A seal muet bé pliced upon her lips in tespedt to all that had recently occurred ; an though OF own sake aie would keep silent én those points, yes it by no means suited the Duke's interests thas she should speak disparagingly of him in any other genae. “Well, my deat madam,” be 4 ly said, assuming his blandest tonéd and his most affable look, “I do indeed congratulate you on this ¢ in your position—-Z am glad you have season to feel so confident in respéct to the Lady Indora. Abd now, a3 you are about to rotire inte private life, if thére be anything I can do——" “ Yes—thero is something,” responded Madame Angelique.” “ The four girls must be comfortably provided for: J mean to leave off business with a good charactet—and those charmera of mine must not go forth into the world to proclaim what I have been. So little has aetually transpired in respect to the true character of this house, that the public in general will give me efedit for being a respectable millioer who is retiring on a fortune legitimately obtained.” “To be sure, my dear madam!” ejaculated Marchmont; “you will keep your own counsel with respect to the past—you will provide for the girls, so as to seal their lips; and those friends who have so long pettonised your establishment— myself amongst th8 number—will of course do the best to sustain your respectability by thefr good report.” oa “f expect nothing less at their hands,” an- swered Madame Angelique; “add I purpose to teat the sincerity of the friendship of four of my principal patrons. ‘To begin therefore with your Grace, I give you youre oice of the four young ladies in the saloun.” = * “Commend me to Eglantine!” exclaimed Marchmont, who at once saw the necessity of yielding to that which was in rcality a command on the part of the Frenchwoman, “T'o-morraw I will take handsome apartments somewhere for Eglantine—I will let you know the eddress in the course of the day—and shecan then remove thither.” “Eglantine must prove an exception from the choice,” answered Madame Angelique. “ Ct hed forgotten at*the moment that I have a particular ney of dispoeing of her. Iither of the other —— my dear madam,” interrupted the Duke, “that 1 can take cither Armantine or Linda, who have been,sd long beneath your roof, and who are so well known qmongst all your patrons! I should be laughed at—ridiculed——" Then why not Marion’ demaniad the French woman. now I bethink ma, I can place atine and Linds equally aa well as Wt is imponitle ECOMRniclacae SS (CO)