The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 5 — page 169: what you’re looking at

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106 guor and lassitule which seemed as if anything fike an exertion were too much for his aristocratic. con- stitution on a sultry day in the middle of summer, —when catching sight of Mr. Gunthorpe, he in- atantly burst into an ironical laugh, exclaiming in his cracked voice, “Ah! my worthy friend of the Bell and Orown, what on carth has brought from the “regions of the City ?. You must feol torribly out of plece in our fashionable ate mosphere.” and contempt which Mr. Gunthorpe bent upon Jidmund Saxendale, es the latter delivered himeelf of those flippant impertinences. The old gentleman was at that instant ngither comical nor common- looking: there was somothing vxceedingly noble and dignified in his appearance, as if he felt in the depths of hia own heart that instead of standing before a superior, it was he himself who was gazing down from a higher pedestal than the~conceited young coxcomb could ever dream of occupying, no matter what advantages he might pbasess in respect to birth, rank, riches, and honours. Lady Saxon- eee ey oo dale herself, who possessed the nicest appreciation ofeeverything that savoured of real dignity, was astonished at the r look which Mr. Gunthorpe wore at t t; ‘and even Edmund was over- awed by the old: gentleman's appesrance. mind was not so completely perverted but he félt he doserved the overwhelming rebuke conveyed in Mr. Gunthorpe’s indignant glances ; and the rebuke (oo was mnote cutting and move searching a thousand times when thus conveyed than if it had been given in words. But still Edmund was not at all the young man to submit with a good grace to the cas- tigation: and promptly recovering his habitual im- pertinence and -self-sufficiency, he gave another affected laagh, exclaiming, ‘‘ Well done, old fellow! you lodk just as you did that day when you blew up the cabman in Jermyn Strect, You remember. what I mean P” “Madam,” said Mr. Ghnthorpe, turning. hus eyes ¢owards Lady Saxondale and bending a. significant look upon her, “TI really pity you in the possession of such a-son as this.” “You insolent old scoundrel !” ejacnlated Ed. mund, becoming all in a moment livid with rage: and clenching his fist, he was about to rush toward the old gentleman, when the latter held up hi® gold-. headed cane with a resoluteness ¢ made the coward youth fall back. : “If todgre lay a flager on me, my lor, Youprrere (net Gunthorpe, calmly, “I- would indict a hastisement which you eo richly Thus speaking, he walked forth fom ‘he apart ‘ment, while Lady Saxondale pulled the. Dell vias lently. Acouple of footiwm instantaneously to the room ; and Lady Saxondale. never admitted agein |” rh tented be rusbed out apon ‘all tbe more. eo et oe Cee & ing —while the ferule of his cane tepped upon every one of the marble steps as he continued his way. Nothing could equal the look of mingled scorn’ flinging His Gunthorpe, she quitted the room. mother felt assured; and. uow thorefore they ‘ronghs jo roggrs Sak owo penwos ao @ mace desi Woaring “Let in heart, inn ot eer teeth nt prob ane ahve ut of Sek, | hauteur and imposing dignity. eooll and impotturbsbly ani be were merely retin . having paid an ordinary visit of courtesy, | | a ay __\__ @ THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. as What did that old fool want bore?” domanded Lord Saxondale, as he sped back into the drawing. room, now intent upon venting his ill-humour ypon his rnother by seeking a quarrel with her. - “ Rather let.me ask,” returned her Jadyship, who “was in. precisely a similar moéd towards her son, “how you dare insult.a visitor whom you find with me, and thus lea@'to.n scene which is calculated to scandalise the entire household P's “T insult him indeed(” ejaculated Edmuna, now himself lasil¥ upon the sofa, as 1f exhausted b§ tho cffort of even putting himeelf into a rage. “Why, I think you took it up pretty warmly too, by ringing the bell in that .frantio m&nner and giv- ing such orders to the servants. But I say, mother, what is this story that I hear. running liko wildfire all over London? Young William Deveril has been making love to you? Now you see what it is to have anything to do with such low fellows as these. I always disliked him, and was a deuced great mind to ick him out of the house.” _ But Lady Saxondale only threw a glance of sovoe- reign contempt upon her son, as if she knew him to be a ceward in histbeart notwithstanding tho ridicu- lous boust he had jnst made; and feeling tho neces- sity of seeking the retiremfent of her own chamber in order to compose her agitated feelings and ponder vol] upon the particulars of her interview with Mr. _ Meanwhile Juliana and Conatance had in the ad- joining apartment overheard everything which had taken place. From the very first Juliana had never believed her,mother’s story respecting Deveril; and the result of Mr. Gunthorpe’s visit was to. confirm her opinion. of its complet? and utter falsity. To the same conclusion was Constance necessitated to ar- rive, though fnore slowly, with far less readiness to discrodit her mother, and with feelings of regret to which Juliane was an entire stranger. Well indgp/, had Mr. Gunthorpe expatiated on the demoralinng effect of such qn exemple set by a mother tb her daughters: ; yet jittle did he think that tho influence of this oxample gras already felt—little did he ima- gine that even ss he spoke his propetio words were receiving their fulfilment! And what was the pic- ture presented ‘to the contemplation of these young ladios?. That their mother, having cast her affec- tions upon an object whom the cohventionalisms of society did not permit her to marry, even if he him: self were inclined to.espouse her, had offered to take . him as.api ) throw herself into his arms ‘|! as his mistress! Hor that Mr; Gunthorpe hed only tod faithfully recited what had really passed between theix. and Deveril, Jwisna. and snd Sonstnce virtse a0 mask, and } exterior awvete e (Se SERGE EEE LOAO© COLUM SS (CO)