The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 5 — page 81: what you’re looking at

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

oo ees ade ei de 68 THE MYSTERIES on: nee eee oe Ee @ eee oa =.” FE two lawyers soparated, and proceeded to difcront parts of the room to mingle amongst tho brilliant groups of Lady Saxondalo’s srucstf. we neednot extend this chapter nor dwe greater Jeneth upon the details of the splendid entertainment; but will at once proceed to turn tho reader’s attention to a place und o secno contrast- ing marvelloudy with the sumptuous mansion and the glittering throng whercof we aro now taking our leave. * CHAPTER XVL 0 TrRvE to her appointment with Chiflin the Cannibal, Madge Somers crossed the threshold of Solomon Patch’s boozing-ken in Agar Tow, just as tho clock in the tap-room was striking nine, on the same evening on which Lady Sakondalo’s ontertainmant took place. The Cannibal was drinking with a party of his frierds whon Madge mado her appearance in the tap-room; buat laying down his pipe and tossing off the remnants of his liquor, the Cannibal at once rose from his seat°and followed her up into tho room above. This €oom was specially devoted to the private conferences of the persons frequenting Solomon Patch’s house. It was here that many a dark and desperate deed was planned,—here that the perpetrators thereof werg wont»to assemble afterwards and divido the fruits of their iniquity,— hero also that Mr. Patch himself transacted busi- ness with his friends when stolen property was to be disposed of. It was a-~wrotched place, Solomon Patch’s love of money and niggard dispesition pre- | venting him from laying out the fow shillings that might havo rendered it somewhat decent. But then, on tho other hand, it answerod the purpose very well: no one grumbled at its rude furnituro— its dirty floor and blackened evalls : nor were the persons who were accustomed to use the room, éf that delicate constitution likely to suffer by tho draughts from the broken windows or the places where the nbsont panos wero indifferently stopped up with old rags thrust through. A rude sort of staircase led up to an altic above; and this attic was provided with bed for the accommodation of any ono of Mr. Patch’s frionds wliom circumstances. might compol,to seck a temporary retiroment until sume menacing sturm was blown over. It was into the conftrence-room aboye described that Mudge Somers and Chiffin the Cannibal as- cended, the formcr having obtained a candlo from tho old Jandlady. - “ Well,” said Chiffin as he%ook { seat upon a rude stool, “I suppose you have brought me my blunt according to promiseP I have been thinking a good deal over that adventure of last night—~-” “Then I beg you will not thik any moro of it,” intcrrupted Madge peremptorily. “An agreement is nn agreement: the busines of last night has ceased to be your affair altogether, and is now mine; go I will thank you not to interfere in my concerns, if you wish us to continue good friends.” The Cannibal was about to give some surly roply, when Maidge, thrysting her hand into her pocket, ‘drow forth a quantity of sovereigns which she placed t - f TATE BES, aaa eee el ee al TE ER _ STI _— 6 OF THE COURT. Pe ae be eee, ee = ee Ee ERP inn» oS upon tho table. Tho sight of the gold at onco made the horrible countenance of the rufhan clear up— —that is to say, it cleared up as much ag tho murky gloom of a thunder-cloud can be said to brighten when tho sun shines forth from anothor part of the heavensupon it. e . ; “Hero gro your hundred pounds,” said Madge: “ and now bo contented.” “Well, the gpok of this precioas metal, as , romnance-writers call it,” said Chiffin, “is enough to | soften a follow’s heart :’—and' whilo ho thus spoke he began to finger, the gold picces, counting them |. over first of all to see that they wero right, and then weighing them in his hand. “ You heve kept your promiso, Mado,’ he continued as he secured tho money about his person; “and I have nothing more to say—unless it is $3 offer to stand a bow! of punch down stairs if you will como and partake of it.” But cre the woman had time to give the negativo acawer ewhich sho was about to return, tho door opened, and Lady Bess sauntered with graceful easo into the room. She.was apparelled exactly in thu gainc manner as when wo previously described her, | ge moe ‘—hor fine person, bemg admirably sct off by tho close-fitting frock coat, the well made pantalvons, and all the othdr accessories of her masculine garb. For a moment her magnificent largo cyes, with so bright a lustre shining im their black depths, wero flueg scrutivizingly upon Madge Somors and the Cannibal, as if to penctrate their proceediniys at a single glance; and then with that off-hand air of casy negligence and graceful listlessness which genorally characterized her, the female highwayman took a scat at the table. “JT hope I am not intruding,” she said. “That old scoundrel Solomon told mo you wero up here closeted togetlier; and as I have got a little business to transact with him I thought there would be no harm in joining you.” | “Ah! 1 suppose it doesn’t suit your gentility,” growled Chillin, “to stand lurking about down at the bar, or to go and, sit amongst my pals in the {ap-roomm.” “Ts it not “strange, Chiffin,” cricd Lady Bess, laughing good-natureilly, and thus displaying tho two splendid rows of teeth that graced her rich mouth, “that you always havo sumething compli- mentary,to say tome? And yet I invanubly treat you with as much civility as possible.” “Perhaps, you think, more than I deservo,” re- ‘ marked Chiffin, somewhat softened .by Lady Boss's open-hearted frankness. , “Under circumstances it cortainly is,” she ro- ; sponded: “for you scarcely ever say a civil word tome”... | “TI don’t know how it is, but I can’t gay that I dislike you,” resumed Chifiin; “and yet I don’t al- togother feel mygelf at home in your presence. You are too fine and grand for me. SBesides, you and I never act togother.” “Our avocations are so different,” exclaimed Lady Bess, with another merry laugh. “ But what if I wero going to propose something of a grand ard startling nature, in which you can sasist? Now, Madge, you sce tho Cannibal’s eyes glisten; and he is actually excitod with the hint I have thrown .out.”” “It's begauso in his heart he feels honoured by this confidencl. you ara, going to show hin,” ob- eS Serer — ot oviguii_inens o Veen * en ANICLOOOKS ier (CO)