The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 5 — page 343: what you’re looking at

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

Pd aw ES Sma: one aay ee) Dl a mma IO TE I I = NG; GS GRE RGN: ATR RR SER Ls Ce a eT TE ST cI a a AG aA AL: a i I a I I TT I TCC CANORA NOAA I AG I NT SE AT ET ee aA i IE a Sat TATED, ‘TI ACT SI IIE TE ERT ® ee Qe ee ee ‘@e ss THE MYSTETMICS OF TITKR COURT. @~ + ' enews alr: “0 eau: “J tear [ am dying, sir,” aiation or the workhouse! Give me a morsel of . fool-- and perhaps I shall be able to drag myself Dr. Ferney, in reply to the visitor’s somewhat exe along somewhere.” “Do you know anything nbout him?” inquired | tion to assist tho wretched object before lim, be was well aware of the tricks played by streete fm postors. * No, siv-—nothing,” to both of whom Dr. Ferney was well known. “We gaw him fall down suddenly, and at first thought be was crunk: but it doesn’t seem go.’ “Well, the pour old m&n shall not be suffered to periai in the strects,” said the physician; “and ho seeins to have a horror of the only places to which you could take him.” “fT have indeed, sie,” said the objecttof thie de sympathy. and thoach brought low, £ may call myself respecta- ble. Of course these raga do not ssém to confirm my words,” he added with & dogree af bitterness : “but. it is x0, nevertheloss.”” Dr. Forney saw that the poor old nian had really a rcapectnbly look, despite his miserable garb; and moreover he spoke like a decently educated person, andl in atono of sinesrity, Werney accordingly directed the policemen te lead bim inte his house; and opening tho door with the latoh-key, he gave them admiltance. The old man was borne (nto the diging-room, where ho was depostted upon the sofa; ancl tho offivers tuok thoir doparturef The servants had long been in bed: .but Dr. Ferney hastened t8 procure refreshments, which he eeé before the object of his generosity. A glass of wine aided to revive the unfortunate old man, who poured ‘forth his gratitudy, pot in the snivelling, whining tones of a eanting hypocrite, but with the genuine sincerity of one who felt the tnamensity of the obligation he owed to a benefactor. “Come,” said the doctor, “you are better now— and « good night's rest will help te restore you. To-morrow you shall tell mo a littl more about your Crcumstances; and I will see if anything can be done for you. “At all events, you shall not go away in those tatters—nor yet with an empty pocket.” The old man shed tears as the doctor thus ad- dressed him: he endeavourcdeto speak again, but could not—for he was overpowered by Lis emotions. Dr. Fegney eanducted him to a bed-room, and leav- ing him there, was about to aseend to his own chamber, whenea loud and iopatient knock at the front door sounded through tho dwelling. The physician was by no means unaccustomed to be summoned at any houy in the night; therefore without waiting to Jot the footman get up and answer the knock, he at ouce hurried down stairs ayain and opened the strovt-door. “Ah, ductur, you are up! So much the better,” said the visitor, who was 0 tall, ariato€@ratic looking man, about thirty-six years of age, and remarkably hanidsome,—with a noble facial outlino of the true Roman type. ° A carriage, from which this individual had just alighted, was waiting opposite the door. The replied one of tho policemen, “T hava seen somewhat better’ mode ‘et eRe eee mop ens Sa EAS SS OTT 2 replied the ald a were 1n -andsome liverics: ~and t 2 cordhet appeared * Bat for God's sake, don’t let, me be taken to tho above the agms painted on the panels. 6 | a | ladyship, who was “not above twenty-three, and of grat? beauty: ‘Dhey had no children; and it was in his ¢ “I hope that nothing is amiss, my Jord?” said ‘ cited ejaculations. ~ © Can you como with mo et once ?” demanded - the doctor of the constables: for with every incline- | the nobleman. “ Her ladyship—— “Not another word is necessary, my lord. I will come directly:"—and the physician, putting-on big hat, followed the nobleman into the carriage, which immediately dréve away. ; The personage by whose side Dr. Ferney now found himself seated, was tho Marl of Castle:naine ~—a nobleman possussed of great wealth,” but re- puted to be of somewhat singular character and eccentric habits. He was muried, and dwelt with his wife in a spacious and splendid mansion ag Kensington. He was several years older than hor whispered that they lived somowhat unhappily to- gether. : indeed Dr. Ferney, who was their physi- sian, had every reason to believe that this rumour was based upon truth: for he was well aware that for the last three or four years they had occupicid separate chambers. Nevertheless, during the day- time: thoy were ag, much fogether as husband anid wile usually are in the ligher circles: that 19 to say, they took their repasts together—they wero oc- easionally seon riding out in the same carriage—and oy likewise appeared together in society. Tha Ear! of Castlemaino was a man of reserveil,. and even moody dispositiom—habitually taciturn, and with a countenance which, though eo handaome, was nevertheless inscrutable in its expression: s0 that in those moments when he appeared gayer than at other times, f was difficult for an observer to determing, whether this*gaiely wera sincere—anil turn moods it was equally impossible tu obtain a clue to What was pasfing in his mind. His habits were regular-—his character was re- ported Lo be unimpenchtblo—his servants considered him to be a guoil master : but amongst persons of hisown rank and sfanding, aljhough ho had plunty of acquaintances, ho had no friends. That is to say, he did not seck to cultivate the friendship of any one; and the inscrutable singularity of his character prevented others from endeavouring to form a close intimacyewith him. Altho Lady Castlemaine lived not tegother upon the hap- picst terms, yet no aspersion was thrown on the character of the latter. Her conduct appeared to be marked with the strictest propriety: sho never clis- played t: e slightest lovity; and though she wené | into society, yet it rather’ seemodl as if it were in fulfilment of one of tho inevitable copditiqus of her rank and position, than beca iso sho had any | taste for the frivolous gaieties ard hollow pleasures of fashionable lif, She fever danced —never joined | those who were seated at the card-tables—but she | would play on the piano or the harp, when re- questerl ; and accompahy either instrument with , |her voice. .She was a beautiful musician, and sang with a delicious sweetness,—in which a kind of | melancifoly pathos was invariably blended with the harmony of a voico of a perfect contralto—but « horees were splendidly caparisoned — the: coach- | contralto that was clyuded as if coming from @ man }.and two footmen belonging to the equipage, a OS, 9S OED CCC ws Se er + re: 0 en ee eee ewe bow sees -o. oe | throat accustomed to stifle and keep down — po € itn. bh it was thus whispered that Lord and |. 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