The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 5 — page 167: what you’re looking at

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

TR IT ED @ la dexired clTect: for as he gave no » card, and walked in with so little ceremony, it was natural to euppose that he know porfectly well what he was doing aad was certain of being well received. ' The footman accordingly conducted him up the spacious stairpane anil on reaching the landing, he said in the wed munner, “ What namo, sir, shall I announco?” . “Mr. Gunthorpe,” was the reply. “Mr. Gunthorp!” vociferated the footman, as he threw open tho door leading into the drawing. room where Lady Saxondale was Here we must interrupt the narrative for a moment to state that Juliana and Conatance, being on the watch in the dining-ropm, had wy(nessed the arrival of: the stout gentioman—bad heard the imperious nianner in which he addressed the footman—and had peeped forth to survey him with more atten- tion than they had beon enabled to: bestow at the glimpse they caught of him from the widow when ascending the mien apen.. “T do declare,” pare Tulisha,' “that be ex- actly answers the dosoritoen given of teat Mr. Gun- thorpe whom Edmund described to us so ludicrously ! Toe same scratch wig—the qqme overhanging chin ~. the same feshioned garments——" “Vea: wit can he want = maroma P” asked Constance. . “Let us 060,” x ded J nliane. “T have a presentiment that his visit is in some way or another connected with Ma. Deveyil.”” The two young ladies quitted thi dining- reom— | a wat ascended the staircase—end etealing into an apart. ment adjoining that where Mr. Gunthorpe had j been introduced to Lady Saxandale’s 4 presence, placed themselves: at: the: ‘door of. between the two rooms... The door was ehué:. but li was easy to oveshear in ane apartmen) what was tuking place in the other; andao the two Miss elds were enabled to gratify their ousioalty. to the utmost extent, Ect us now look on thd other side of the door at which Juliana and Constance are listening. Lady Saxondale, on hearing the name of Mr. Gunthorpe announced, recognized it at once as that of an‘individual whom she had overheard her son Edzound hold up to ridicule ono day when he was ina lively and bantering mood; and certainly the appearanco of this gentleman was sufficient*to con- firin in her ladyship’ s mind whatsoever amount of ludicrous impression her son’s discourse concerning him had.xceviously made. Not for an instant did ase: ike Lady Saxendale that he came about William Deveril’s business; and. fecling offended at the un- sfemonious way in which he had caused himeelf to * be announced, she reccived. him with. fhe most freezing coldness. Mr. @unthorpe was however the last person on the face of tho earth to be discamfted hy such a reception ; and coolly taking a seat, though ultogether unasked, be observed, “I dare aay ay our ladyship is much surprised at this vieit on of one who has obtained no formal introduction P”. “I presum’,sir,” returned Lady Saxondale, with | dering . an ice-like dignity, “that having some trifting know- ledge of my aon you have called to scp him? But he iy not at home at the present time——" “I beg your ladyship to understand,” said Mr. (iunthorpe, “that I should not take so unwarrant- able o liberty as to presume ypon my slight—very slight acquaintance with Lord Saxondale so far as to THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. communication | Fare: the part. \ f e d intrude mysolf upon the privacy of his mother. But my object is to have some seriéus conversationgvith yout ladyship on behalf of u young gentleman in whour I am, somewhat interested —I mean Mr, Deveril. Ty So unex was this announcement mada, and therefore so Gytelly unprepared was Lady Saxon- dale to proserve her presence of mind when that name appeared to be thrown at her like an accusa- tion, that she gave a’sudden start arid looked con- fheed. But.the loss of fortitude could only be inv- mentary With: § women of her strong mind; and | - thorefura imypediately recovering herself, ae said, coldly and distantly as before, “Out of respect for your years, sir, I will listen to what you may have to say: buf I cannot promise you to pardon th: young msy an whos behalf you are come.” “ Furdoi, my lady!” exclaimed Mr. Gunthorpo withesume Httle ahow of indignatiun. “It is not pardon that he segks—it i is justice. Pardon is to be sought by those who injure— not by thuscewho ure injured.” “The only interprotation T can put upon your words, qir,” rejained Lady Saxondale, with a voic: and loak of Sontymmate assurance, “is to suppos- that My. Deveril bas given you some false version of hig oanduct towards me——” “(Oe of your ladyship’s conduct towards‘aim * But nai" aking tubal” Gunthorpe + he is inca kin air,” "ried Lady Baxondale, her cheeks eallusipg with a crimson glow and ber eyes flashing fize,—* do’ Tle that T am capable of | Mp. Gunthorpe, “it is alway ensant busivess to have to make ac- ousat $ hut the task becomes doubly dis- le ahs ‘the accuser is one of the stronrer giz, and the acoyred ia one of the weaker. Such is the pregentcase.” =~ Mr. Gunthorpe,” said Lady Saxondale, rising from hor saat ypon the sofa, “ this interview can- not proceed farther.” “Madam,” answered the old gentleman, “I am not a man to be diverted from my course by any overbearing Conduct. Iam not one of those who are dassled by the false lustre of patrician rank. 9 know very well that meteors blaze at a distance, but ° when they fall down upon the earth they prove ta be merely vile stones. So it id with the false gods and goddesses of the British aristocracy; and there- fore I neither worship such idols nor cun be intimi- dated by them.” . _ “Mr, Gunthorpe, if you haves come hither on pur- pose to insult me,” said Lady Saxondale, resuming hor egat upon the sofa, “I must submit tor it would grieve me much.to be compelled to order iny lacqueys $0 eject. a. gentleman of your respectable appeprance and advaneed ye ‘Tam confident thet you ‘do not even entertain the. thought: -of such @. thing, Lady Saxondale, is a lecduey lay: a hand sipon me:”-— ag My. o thus spoke, he looked her tadyahip feanly pnd’ posolutely in tho face, ti: her-own gase cowered baneat ii his own. e Now, will you permit me without inter- ruption to tell wou a little anecdote, the object an: purpose of which I @ill explain to you at the en: It is this:—A lady of proud title, a widow, whe has a ECOMRniclacae SS (CO)