The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 37: what you’re looking at

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

“But, wy dear Madame Angelique!” said the Duke; “in the first place I believe thét Marion dislikes me—you remember I have complained to and you of her refusal-——” “ Mere coyn part—or else arti atratagem to render herself all the more table when she might choose to surrender.” © “Bat there is another reason |” exclaimed the “Tos this your friendship ” cried Madame An- gelique, with a great show of indignation, and half starting from her seat. “Do not be angry !—we were but discussing the ‘nt-——"" “ And it is no longer open for discussion. Take Merion or not, as you think fit,” continued the Frenchwoman: “but if you refuse, I shall know what value to set upon the friendship of your Grace.” Marchmont bit his lip almost till the blood came: Madame Angelique’s look was resolutely decisive; and not dering to quagrel with her, he affected to laugh,—saying, “‘ Well, wel], I suppose, like all ledies, you must have your own way! So let it be the particular beauty whom yeu have thus allotted to me.” “Be it so: it is settled, my lord,” replied Madame Angelique. “I have not the slightest doubt that Marion, who has been under the protec- tion of an Earl, will feel proud in the long run to ewn the tender friendship of a Duke.” There was a slight accent of sarcasm in the milli- per’s tone: for she was avenging hereelf, as far as ehe thought fit, for the conduct of Marchmont in having duped her into becoming the instrument of his own designs, incomprehensible to the French woman though they were, in respect to Indora. The Duke, comprehending Madame Angelique’s meaning, again bit his lip ‘with vexation: but bowing to conceal it, he issued from the room. On leaving the milliner’s house, the Duke of Marchmont walked slowly along the street, plunged in a deep and painful reverie. He had numerous sources of bitter vexation as well as of alarm ; and amongst the former the arrangement just made— or rather just enforced, in respect to Marion, was not the least. He that she had been the mistress of the Earl of Beltinge ; and he by no meang relished the idea of taking up with that nobleman’s discarded paramour. ‘The of keeping Marion entered not for a moment into his consideration: for he was wealthy enough to gratify any such fantasy if he had the inclination. Bat even in the sphere of vice and immorality, the haughty tone of aristocratic feeling prevails; and Marchmont winced at the idea that he,a Duke, should be compelled to take under his protection the cast-off mistress of an Earl. Were she the discarded paramour of a King, & Prince, or even a Royal Duke, it would have been different. Such was the seusitiveness of a man who hesitated not to make a familiar companion of a woman like - Madame Angelique, the keeper of a fashionable house of pinay man too who would have plunged himself into crime to rid his path of an enemy, like Indora, who, as he had reason to lieve, was by some means or another g sepurity. } 2. he the of Marohmont was con way slowly, and in deep brooding though . vue siyeruRrgs OF THE his | handsome along the street, he encountered some one whe suddenly addressed him by name;—and looking up, he beheld the Hon. Wilson Stanhope. “My lord, I greet you,’ said that unprincipled individual, in a of familiarity. ¢ . “Ah! so you have retuyned from: Paris?” ob- served the Duke, somewhat coldly. . “You-where I am to say,” responded Stanhope, “I fell in with persons who were cleverer than myself; and the consequence is I am as completely cleared out as ever an unfortunate devil was. I was just thinking to whom I could apply for a little suceour, when behold { fortune throws me in the way of your Grace.” “Then your pocket, I presume, is empty ?” said the Duke, speaking slowly and in a musing man- ner: for he was revolving in his mind something that had just occurred to him. r Bo empty,” troduction of such a thing as fifty guineas into that pocket of mine would be a veritable god-send. May I anticipate that for old acquaintance sake ——and you must remember, my lord, that if that affair with her Grace down at Oaklands ended in failure——” “It was not your fault, I admit,” returned the Duke: “ but you must also recollect that I gave you a liberal reward. Enough, however, on that point ! I think I can do something for you now. What would you easy if I were to introduce you to- morrow to a handsome suite of apartments—a beautiful girl already installed there as the genius of the scene—and with an account opened at a banker’s in your name to the extent of five hun- dred oP” “T should say, my Jord,” replied Stanhope,. “ that it was a truly ducal manner in getting rid of a mistress of whom your Grace is tired—and that I am #0 overwhelmed by the favour I at once accept it.’ “Then it is a bargain,” said Marchmont; “and here is an earnest thereof,” he added; slipping his purse into Stanhope’s hand. “Come to me to- morrow evening———~But no! do not make your ap in Belgrave Square———Dine with me at the Clarendon Hotel at seven o’clock—and after our wine I will conduct you to the little paradise where a houri’s arms will be open to ‘ceceive ou.” or: I shall be punctual, my lords’ answered Wil- son Stanhope. ‘But one word! Is not this great favour which you are showing me, the pre- laude to something else P”’ “What mean you?” inquired Marchmont: but the tone in which the question was put, convinced Stanhope that his surmise was correct. " “Let me speak frankly, my lord,” he said. “I asked for fifty pounds—and you proffer me five hundred. Is this really vothing more than a re- compense for taking your cast-off mistrves——~" “On my soul, she is no mistress of sine!” in- terrupted the Duke. “Ihave seen het—-I bave joked with her—but never such One p has any familiarity been permitted by . L have endeavoured——But enough! Suf- fice it for you to know that she has been the mis- tress of that she is now at Madame rejoined Stanhope, “ that the in- Angeligue’s—and that to-niorrow she will be ia - Bus to receive you.” Stanhope. “ apirtments, reed * Good, My lord!" ejcoula ; aie < ‘ ' ‘ hla agg tect TS ECOMMICOOOKS.EO