The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 7 — page 342: what you’re looking at

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— ita a ee a a a eT aA nem RE ot — eee Oe eee eee eee a ae EE of pie Ean EP eT wey Owen ee ee, eee oe on meemeiaimnigianiehanemmieitis ‘aihtetenes alienate ieee eel apa aed were que Mae ee wr, Oveh Qe A ores Sie ee -eee ets OT = apprebencions that same dark plot was in contem- plation agaiast that detenceless being's peace of mind. But how cuuld he assist her P—and this was the question which he kept asking himself Curing the remainder of his walk back into Lams. nate. qipniameen CHAPTER TUB FIXALH OF THE SYCAMORE EPISODE. LAI, In the meantime what hal been passing ab the Royal Hotel in that towu? <Aé about a quarter past six o'ciock two young gentlemen were intro. duced by the waiter to Mr. Syoamore’s sitting- room; and that indieidaal received them with every appearance of the warmest imendship. One was barcly twenty-twu—tho other a few wonthe younger still: both on coming of age had inherited furtunes—both wore inexperienced, giddy, gay, uud oxtravagunt—anxious to be ounsidered very line dashing fellows, and nevor pausing to reflect at what hizh pnec they were purchasing this re- putation. There was no kinship between them : but they had been to college together, and their Inbtiuaey was renewed when lauuching thempelves upon the great sea uf life. They considered Mr. Sycamore to be the very pink of everything that was moat abnirable, fasemating, and worthy of lnmutation as a man of fashion; and they were as preud of having obtamed his friendslup as if thoy were associating with the hivhost aristuerat im tho band. Such were the two young gentlomen whom Mr. Sveamora had invited to dinner; and on their bone intrudpecd, be ordered tho waiter to have the banquet served up uf once. The conauand wus prompuiy sbeyad; acd Myr. Sycamore sac town to talne with bis guests. The courses of soup and liv passed off agrarably enough; and Sycamore felt hia spirtt.s revive as h> pergenved that the young gentlemen were in ad ex@elant haniour to du qustive to the woe. Wath tho third course the champayne waa mtroduced ; and after cho first class the vouny gentleman began to prow very tulkat.ve, and likewise to show gif ther arys, "Well, you speak of fing women down here, Secamore,” sald one, runiang his finj.is in an affvcteadk sinnuer througis hia peefumed bat; * bub J vow and declare 2 have not aven any to my tasie.” Sana en a a THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. ge a a ep OO TIE DEI COLLEY TI PG OAD 331 said the young gentleman, laughing bamensely “Suppose I did dance five times running with Lady Harriet the other evening—and sxppose I did sit next to her at supper~and suppose I did ride out on horseback with her next day-——why, what then? People of course can draw their awn inferences: but I say nothing,” “You are two young rakes,” exclaimed Mr. Sycamore, pumping up the merricat laugh ho could possibly force by that artificial process; ‘‘ and I ahall really lose my character if I am seen in your company: I shall be act duwn ea bad as your- selves. Come, fill~and paus the champagne.” “t's all this fellow hero why leads io into mischief,” continued the same young gentleman who had previously been speaking, and who now alluded to his companion, who was just @ fow monthe older than himself, “I should like to know how he gcta on with that pratty little widow with the ewoet blue oyea P” “Oh, if you think 1 moan matrimony,” drawled out the young gontleman thus alluded ta, at the TPR PSG ee BAS At Te RE ow bf same time giving an alfocted nugh, “ you are must gloviously misiaken-—and the litte widow knows it. Mind, I do not ny that she is of a larking disposition: but suppose abe is-and that ashe takes a fancy to me—and suppose that sho has no objection to a little anwar upan the uly,--well, is she the worapP or am 1 the worse ? Jast answer me that.” “Not a bit of it!” ejaculated Mr, Syenmors, “ But of course wo now know whet it gll meana, and on what terms tho protty littls wido'e and you atanid togeblier” We may aa well observe for the information of the reader, thut the Lady Uarriet and tho pretty little widow thus spoken of, wero two as virluous ladies as any in the whole world—and that by no lewity, much less improprity on thelr parts, bad they ever afforded the slightest ground fur those disbolically impertinent mudes in which their nuues wero mentioned, It is too often the case that the characters of wall-principled women ere padded, and winked, and hinted awuy aa a sacrifices tu the miseraljy vanity of profligate ouxciiuba, sho flatter theriselvea that it is very fine in Juve and “ guile thy bing” to have euch little liaisons ou haud. Byer uaore, as a man of the world, kiew porlectlyewell that 16 wae uobling but incre vaunt and braggudusiv on the part of lie questa: but be guesuraged at—he protended ty beneve ia it--he nanistered to their wielched vanity~ and he con. ludicd"hy telling them that they were twa duspee “What! nob at bathing time?” asked Mr, / rate fellows, and thatil he had a wite or sisters Sscarore with a knowing leux. fullow, lL aaw you on the sands for turee hours yesterday, nearly all the wiale the tidy served; and yougnevcr once lad your glass duwno from your eye.” *'Pon my seul, that's too bad, Syearore }” gaid the youne gentleman, infinitely dohyhted at this flattering compliment to bi+ rakiak propen- sitics, “FE must eunfess I saw mora of Lady Har. rniot’s bust than she usually displars when in evening custume———and yet you Luow she does dress devilish low.” . “Ah?” corted Syeamore, “I always thought there was something between you and Lily Har- riet—espucially as hor husband neylocts her.” “Come, come, Syeamore — don’t. be scandalous !” eaten mee age mets 4 ds wees, sane ~ “Why, my dear {| bo would svoner shat them up in convents than allow euch irresistibles to approach thom. All this elevated the two shallow-brained young gan- tlemen intu perfect ecstagies; aod they began talking more larguly atill, bat ww somewhat another strain. © Kor my part,” sail he who was barcly twenty- two, “Lam getting tired of Enygland-~TI think 1 sunil go absoad. Ll have eeop su wuek af life, I am pretty near worn out.” “Woil, it's just the case with ius,” observed the other young gentleman; ‘there's mo enjoyment in pleasure now. When one bas had the finest women iu Kagland at his command, and reveiied, eo in wing that he can stand uwoything and has not even the luxury of getting glorivusly deuuk, Vie, rere. sen ee ee =e ee, qe if omc ee ts Ce ee iene seer oP eee COMIC OOO© SS CO