The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 43: what you’re looking at

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

80 SHE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. therefore I thought that I might take the liberty,! “Oh, bother take Exeter Hall at thie present under peculiar elroumstances, of inviting you here {| moment!” cried the saint; and his interjection on the’ present occasion.” was accompanied by a most unsaint-like oath. “Phe truth is,” auswered Mr. White Choker, | “ You want five hundred guineas for this Linda ? “that hypooritical scoundrel Obadiah Snufflenoes,| Hum! hal But is she 20 very beautiful P is she the View: President of our Society, frequante your | well formed —stont—luxurious——” | héuse; and as he and I are at daggers-drawn——”" | “A superb bust, my dear Mr. Choker. But “ And yet,” exclaimed Madame Angelique, with | come! here are writing-materials—¢raw up the some degree of astonishment, “I saw the other | cheque--and I will go and-fotch the charming day a published letter uf your's to the gentleman | Linda, go thet you may arrive at a speedy de- you name, and commencing, ‘ Dearest and best | cision.” } beloved brother in the good work, Obediah Snuf-| With these words, Madame Angelique quitted flenose-——’ ” the boudoir; and ascended to the chamber of the “T tell you once more,” ssid Mr. White Choker, | German girl,—who having, like Miss Eglantine, with considerable asperity, “that we are not sit-| recently dismissed an admirer who regularly visited ting in committee upog the distribation of that | her twice a week, was finishing her toilet by the last new tract addressed to all savoury vessels. | aid of a female dependant. Tho maid was dis- But d—n the vessela! My dear madam, let’s get | missed from the room; and Madame Angelique, to business. Why did you send for me?” having intimated her intention of retiring into “If you were to hear, Mr. White Choker,” eon- | private life, proceed to address the young lady in tinued Madatie Angelique, “ that I have the love- | the following manner :— liest Germen girl béneath this roof, who has only? “It is therefore my duty as well as my plea- gone astray once—once, upon my honour, and no | sure, dear Linda, to provide for yourself and com- tmore——" . panions. You know what I have just done for “ Ah, if I thought I could rely upon you,” sald | Eglentine; and now it is your turn. A very pious Mr. Choker, whose curiosity, as well aS a atronger | gentleman will take you into his keeping: he will passion, was considerably piqued. “But it was | pension you handsomely ; and when your child is not altogether on acoount of Snufflenose that I} born—which I suppose‘will be in about five have staid away from your establishment for the | months—he must provide for‘ it liberally, because last three or four years: it was because that young | you will have him completely in your power. He creature— you rumember her woll—that you fur- | has gota wife and large family ; and if you only nished me, with the solemn assuranco she wae | threaten to go to his house @nd create a distur- chastity herself, presénted me with —a—a—thump- | bance, you might bring him to any terms. He is ing boy four of five months afterwarde, and | immensely rich, and as thorough-paced a hypocrite threatened to expose me if I did not provide for | ae ever the sun shone upon. Of courso, my dear the brat. Ah, madam, that was « sad, sad af-| girl, you will keep your condition a secret as long fair" as you can; and between you and me, I have “But, my dear friend Mr. Choker,” inter-| assured him that you are but one remove from rupted Madame Angelique, ‘we are all liable to | complete chastity———-However, you will know error ——” e how to manage your white-cravatted puritan ; and mow come and be introduced to him. Stop !—you can throw a kerchief over your neck, so as to appear modest; and you can casily suffer it to glide off, as if quite unconsciously, in the bashful confusion of your thoughts.” Linda was well pleased with the arrangements thus sketched forth ; and tho kerchief being duly thrown over her neck, abe accompanied Madame Angelique to the boudoir, whero Me White Choker had in the’meantime penned the cheque fer five hundred guineas. Jainde appeared all blushing modesty; and her looke were bent down, as the saint devoured her with his gloating eyes. There was a little conversation, during which the kerchief glided off from the syren’s white neck and voluptuous bosom; and her triumph was complete. In the evening Mr. White Choker came in « street-cab to fetch away his charmer; and though “Put such an error es that, my doar madam! Only conceive a thumping boy !"—and tho white- cravatted gentleman’s countenance became so elougeted at the we thought, that at the moment with the length of hor bnght ay it could havo vi poker itself. Well, my dear sir, I admit the thumping boy was @ great nuisance—a very great nuisance But in this case, with wy beautiful charming Linda, who has only fallen once, there cannut possibly be any euch apprepension. If you were just to see het———-But what do you think P” ejaculated the milliner, thus suddenly interrupting herself. “Old Lord Wenham was here just now, end he actually and positively drew me out a cheque for four hundred guineas for this aweet German. And what did Eaay? ‘No, no, my lord; I have the honour of being acquainted with a goatleman who will give five hundred!’ That's what I said, Mr. Choker !”” . he dared not use his own private carriage for the “ But you mentioned no name ?” said the saint, | pu he nevertheless promised that on the fol- anxiously. + lowing day Liada should have the most beautiful “Not for the world!” responded Madame An-| turn-out of her own that was to be seen in all gelique. “And thie déar Linda, who. is diteretion | London. He installed her in a beautiful little suburban villa, ready furnished, and which he haa immediate accommodation iteelf,—ashe will mever betray yous bub sbdwill to Exeter ‘when you are 08 spesk-+‘and hired off-hand for will wave: té handkerchief—phe will weep | then, as an exoude fir passing that Bret night a too at y fait petit doot, abe feoun honas, he asauted the With ef hi ‘ie will set asi‘ eltite full of the audience Whim: | exeélient Mrs,-White Oloker, that lip was gol poring and sobbing.” " to keep a vigil of bldeied: prayer by the bed Feil COMIC OOO© SS (CO)