The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 5 — page 380: what you’re looking at

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

Se ee not acquainted with feet easeee * "TF | Qe. =—e—we == = taneously weoovermg his self-possession én the en- trance of the servant, and therewith his habitual reserva and caution. “I donot think—but of course I should not like to say positively,—that* I am y one bearing the name of Gunthorpe-——Howoever he had hotter come up: Sir John Marston, you can retire into my private cabinct for a fow minutes.” | _ The Baronet acgordingly proceeded intv a smad adjoining room which Lord @etersfleld indicated ; and almost immediately afterwards Mr. Gunthorpo mado his appearance. Lord Petersfield bowed coldly an? stiffly: for he though¢ that his visitor was some citizen dwelling on the eastern side of Temple Bar— aud his lordship had a most haughty contemp? and supremo disgust for every body of that description. Mr. Gunthorpe stared very dard at tho nobleman —anl then said, “I presume that Iam addressing Lord Petersfield ?” 7.” “Really, Mr. Gunthorpe, I am not pregared— that is to say, I do not think I ought to answer a question so pointedly put. ° I may be Iprd Petors- field—and indeed, after duo deMbcrafion, I think 1 may venturg to say that Lam—with avery proviso requisite under such circumstances.” Mr. Gunthorpe first looked surprised—then in- dignant—and thon disgusted at the nobleman’s answer; and deliberately takfng a seat? he said, © You had better sit-down, my lord: for I desire to lave a very scriaus conversation with you.” “ And pray, Mr. Gunthgrpe, who may you be?” asked the nobleman, as be gravely and slowly depo- sited himself in his arm-chair. “ Don’t bo in a hurry to auswer—take time to reflect ——” ° “Tt needs no time fur an honest man tu prdéclaim hiinself such,” was Mr. Gunthyrpe’s response ; and he looked with a strange significancy at Lord Peters- ficld. : “Your answer is ambicuons,” said the nobleman : “it ality ofea double meaning. Tt way be in- tend to imply a consciousness of your own honest y: or it may be an indireet and not ungraceful tribute to mine.” ° “ Humph!”” said Me. Genthorpe. “1 can assuro your lordship I was very far from intending the latter construction to be put upon iny words at all. However, this is no occasion for childish trifling. ® THF MSYTERIES RE aes © jee Ober Ow = OF THE COURT. , serv I will make every reparation. Whore is that noble- man? You did well not to mention his name: for the very walla have ears.” “Yes—and doors too,” said Mr. Gunthorpe, whoso keen eye had caught sight of one gently opening an inch or two oppusite to that by which he had entered; and as he spoke, ho rose from his seat—walked straight up tu that door—and pulling it completely open, beheld the Baronet retreating from it, having evidently been listening. _ A half-suppressed ejaculation escaped Mr. Gune thorpe’s lips: for he instuntancously recognized Sir John Marstun, on whose person the ravages of time had not been sufficient to prevent such recognitiors. But not choosing for sqme reason of his own, tu show that he Rad thus recognized him, Mr. Gun- thorpe turned round to Lord Peterefeld, domanding stegniy, “ Who is your lordship’s eavea-dropper?” “Tam Sif John Marston,” the Baronet at once safd: for Lord Potersfield, again sinking back aghast in his seat, could not atter a word. “ You aro Mr. Gunthorpe, as I understand, and I have heard you touch upon a cortain dolicate matter. Porhaps, therefore, I may be admitted to the ‘con- ference P”’ “Most assuredly,” rejoined the old gentleman, with accents of significant bitterness: “fur if you are Sir Jolin Marston, ygu are as much interested in it as Lord Peterstield bimyelf.” “Granted!” exclaimed the Baronet: and he spoke with a degree of insolent hardihood which made Lord” Petersfield think that he had devised some means of averting the threatened exposure. “Well ther, Sir John Marston,” resumed Mr. Gunthorpo, “inasiuch asgyou have been listening at that floor, I need not repeat the words I have already spuken to Lord Petersfield. But as the friend and confidant of a@ certain nobleman,” he continued, accentualing his words, “I demand an account of the stewardship of you, Lord Petersliold —of you also, Sir John Marston--in respect to the sun of one hundred thousand pounds deposited in your joint hands sixteen years ago, for the benelit of Klizabeth and Francis Paton.” “And are we to understand,” said Marston, “that there is a very delicate anxicty, and tender interest entertained in a certain quarter with regard Lord Petersfield, is there futhing upon your con- | to these said persons Elizabeth and Francia ?”’ scionce with which you‘cay reproach yoursel!?” This was indeed a home-thrust gucstion put to | the diplomatist; and coming so quickéy upon thu disagreefble businebs he had beon discussing with Sir J':n Marston, there can.be no wonder that Lord Petersfield should suddenly turn pale and look con- fused. ° “ But little moré than sixteen yeard have elapsed,” continued Mr. Gunthorpe, again Jooking very bard in’ Lord Petersficld’s face, “since a certain nédble- man who believed that in ;Uu ov possessed a sincore and faithful friend—--” , “Ah!” gasped Petersficld, sinking back in his; but they themsclvces are unconscious of the ex- | © Most assuredly!" responded Mr. Gunthorpo, wilh a Stern look. “ lfow dare you assume, by your very tone and tnanner, that it can be other. wise P” , “T assume nothing of the sort,” rcplicd the Barone’a “I will ask ono question. Ifave you, Mr. Gunthorge, as the friend antl confidant of a certain nobleman, seen thuse persons, Elizabeth and Francis F” “Tt have-—I have secon thom buth: it is barely an hour since I left them. That they have been wronged —cruelly, scandalously wronged—tis but too evident : chair: but in a sudden paroxysm of excitement, ho; tent——” » exclaimed, “‘ Who are you, Mr. Gunthorpe ?” “And pray, Mr. Gunthorpe,” inquired Marston, “ The intimate friend of that nobloman,” was the | witha sardonic smilo upon bis*countenance, “ did reply soleranly and firmly given; “and one who will see that the wrong be righted. All the cireuin- atagces of the past arc known to me———” “Mr. Gunthorpe,” interrupted Petersfield, in an imploring tone, “I beseech you to deal mercifully—~ one 2 aun. -c ee eee @ EIS ol ee Elizaboth mako known ty you the pleasant pursuits in which she Bas recontly been engaged ?” “What mean you, sir?” cried Mr. Sunthorpe, angrily. “I havo every reason to believe——" “Bulieve nothing without being convinced,” ine BP © Sty Beto SP OOO) OY COMIC SS (CO)