The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 5 — page 92: what you’re looking at

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

~~ “ber. The surgeon was a middle a ee Eee SP tg ee e a ” THE MYSTENILS OF THE ‘COURT. placed on the table near the bed, {ust as {f its con- tents had been Guly imbibed by her whose name appeared on the label. ) Breakfast was speedily brought up; and Lady Boss did ‘most ample Juetice ta §¢. “By the time she had finished her meal and the things were cleared away, it whe eight o'clock; and in order to render the stratagem in respect to the furgeun as complete aa possible, old down. tho street to fetch him. by Mrs. Marshall into the pretended in Hd's cham- rather a benevolent countenange, an tt pleasing address. He bud been long established in Dover auil was much respected. If he had a iulf, it was in a certain sneaking affection which he chogished for money j and therefore when he ol served a well-filldi purse lying upon the table . close by his empty bottle, he ‘could not help feel- ing pleased at having a patient evidently Ge well able to remunerate him for his aervices,. = = Lady Bess put on the most lugubrious look it was possible for her handgome and healthy coun- texance to assume; and if the seen her playing so fine a part the breakfast a quarter of av hour previous, he world assuredly ps . , | better, aud cértalnly never happier. J am not one, my dear Kate, who after qn extraordinary have fancied that a lady possessed of such an ap- potite must be endowed wifh ah iron constitution. - “ Well, how are wa this morning?” he asked, in his blapdcst tones, as he tock Lady Boss's hand. “ Pulso somewhat feverish—eh r" 7 : Lady Bess thought that Mr. Hood's : pulse would be very likely to beat quickly if he had ridden nearly eighty miles in five hours and e half: but though she experienced an almost irre- sistible inclination to burst out into the merriest lnugh, she nevertheless bo far controlled herself as to subdue that desire and modulate her Voice into faint and languid tones, as she gaid, “ I feel some- what better now, doctor. But J was very, very illin the night; and I feared that the fit was cuming on just now again when the landlord wont to fetch you.” — BO “Ah! you must have another draught,” said Mr. Huod. “No appotite,I suppose?” “Notin toa least,” answored Lady Besa; and she thought it would be very odd if she had after the quantities of cold fowl, ham, and but- tered toast she had partakon of within the past half-hour. Oo / | “Well, you must have @ little gruel Presently, with a piece of dry toast,” aaid Mr. Ho “TI am convincell I never should be able to take it,” rejoined Lady Bess, and Kate Marshall turned away to the wiudow in order to prevent: herself from bursting out into a laugh in the doctor's face. _ an “Oh! you must take gome sustgnance,” 6z- claimed Mr, Hood; “ but of alight character, for you are still feverish: When. did thig indispoai- tion commence?” © = = 4. i070 “Nhe lady arrived here last offening about seven o'clock,” Mrs. Marshall bestendd to observe ; “and she complnined very soon afterwarda— didn't she, ¥ ate?” . eldest daughter. “And then it wae a littlo after thrée in the morning, I suppose, that you got so bad, ma‘am 7’ said the doctor, addressing his petient ; “for I ° @ Maighall stepped , pe ppes. which he considered requisite; and then he took In a faw minutes Mr. Hood wag duly Sscorted Gpster had.only | of the previous * Yes, mother,” was the response given by the: 79 ~~ learn from my assistant that it was about that time be was rung up." “TT really took no note of the nour,” answered Lady Beas; “ but I know that I had been anffer- ing ever since I went to bed, bofore the fit seized upon me.” Mr. Hood remained a few minutes longer with his patient, asking her certain requisite questions —0or.we should rathor say, certain questions his leave, promising to send anothor draught in the course of the forenoon, and desiring that he of | might be fetched if any change should take placo | i ber condition. . " _"Whyis the doctor l hed fairly quitted the room, Lady Bese gave vent go her loug pent-up wirth in peals of the most joyous laughter, whereit: she was Mrs; Mareball haying left the room with tho doc- tor to escort hin down ateirs. 4 And how do you really feel?” inquired Kate, when the paroxysw of that convulsive merriment was over. «| - : “I feal somewhat tired and stiff,” responded ‘Lady Boas, ‘wiping away the tears which bad rolled down her cheeks in the exccss of hor mirth: “bat in all ather respecte I nover was exhilaration of the spirits, receives a reaction leading {nto a proportionate dospondency. I aim pretty nearly always the samo—somotiwes inore elated ‘perhaps—but very seldom, if ever de- pressed. And fow levme give you the history of ‘that pleasant Jittle adventure of mine which has plied me to perform this feat.” ie amazon thereupon recounted the incidents night, which are already known to the reader?’ and Kate laughed heartily at her friend's ludicrous deacription of the discomfiture which the two lawyers bad experienced.- ° "Now I do not think they are positively vin- dictive,” added’ Lady Bess; “but they are keen, abarp fellows, and have got itinto their heads that, being lawyers, they must vindicate what is called the majesty of tho law. So, it is highly probable that they wi] haye instituted a hue end cry, or else achase after me. Perhaps, even, they may inak® their appearance in Dover presently, in the idea that I shall endeavour to escape into Mrance. Well, let,them come: I most cordially hope they will—for it ig better. to have the thing examined info down here and have dove with it, than have to wait till I return tg London and then send for all youas witnesses: But what time is the first traindown?'? _“ About eleven o'clock for the French muils,” replied Kate. od “And if ig now sboyt half-past’ eight,” said Gan, Te her watch which lay upon the table by the bedside. ‘Well, I can at least reckon upon two or three hours’ good sleep.” “Fore which purpose I will therefore leave you,” said Kate; but aa she was about to open the door, she turned round, and with an arcb sinile upon her very good-lovking countenance, sald, “Shall I bring you up the gruel and toast at eleven?” = “Rether easy a good luncheon, my dear friend,” responded Lady Bess, with another merry laugh: and then’ ss Kate Marshall closed the door, the mJ oom ¥ J joined by Kate, who remained with hei,. ECOMRniclacae SS (CO)