The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 7 — page 346: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. awoke in the morning, he bad to begin his medita- tions on thag point all over again. He was equally uncertain how to act in respect to his own persanal eoncerns—whether he should leave the hotel and take a cheap lodging, so that he might remain in Ramsgate for a few days in the hope that events mivbt oceur to render him useful to Laura—or whether ho should remain at the hotel until the morrow and see what that day might bring forth. His doubts in this respect were howovor set at reat when ho descended from his chamber: for the landlord requested him to step into hia parlour— where he addressed him in the following man- ner :— “J yeturned home too lato last night, Mr. Ash- tov, to be enabled to have a word with you. You aro aware of the mention I felt it my duty to make of you in the telegraphic despatch. As you may easily suppose, my first inquiry on reaching London yesterday afternoon, was at the banker's where the villain Sycamore pretended to bnve a consilerablesum of money; and I necd hardly tell you that bis representations were entirely false. 1 thence proceeded to the hotel in Piccadilly; and there I learnt that tho statemont you had made me sn respect to the mode of your introduction to Syeainore, and the short period of your acquaint- ance, waa strictly correct. In short, I know you to be un honourablo young gentleman; and I am even sorry that you should have thought it neces. sary tv liquidate your own account at mg hotel, joasinuch as it was incurred under the impression that it would be paid by your emplover. I will not insult you by offoring to return the moncy : but | bee that vou will do mo the favour fo remain here ag my guest for as lung as it inay sult you to stay in Ramspate. Is there any necessily for your Bperdy departure P"’ “On the contrary,” replied Christian, “it suits me well cnough to remain hiere for ao few, dass; and ss your proporal ig so generously made, tn the game friendly spirit do T accept it.” “Uso the coffee room, therefore,” said the Jand- lord, “ just as if it were your own; and FE will take eare that every attention shall be shown you. As fur that villain Sycnmore, ho will be punished — and thisiaa svurce of satisfaction. bortuuytely his boxes cuntain the greater portion of the goods which he ubtamed fiom the tradesmen in this | conservatorics-~ several horses in the paddock—e town; and they shall all bo returned to thes.” “But your Juss 13 a severo ong 2” Christiau. The landlord ehruggod hia showers, and said “It is ono of the meks which we toust run in bua iness.”” diere the convereation ended; and our young | Truurked [everything indicated the Stoward—while the bunleome draperies ut the Matin Atimarge! Crieas AgT Oat eek wile Mey tage vine Ar pig 886 poignancy of feeling. THe was handsomely dteracd bis appearancd was eminently gontect; atid when he had occasion to address the waiter, fy wits with the well-bred air of the polished gentlin Christian had nut seen him at the hotel before this occasion; and he presently learnt, from somd db- servation which he made to the waiter, that he had only arrived late on the previous evoning. After breakfast, Christian strolled out; and he soon found himself bending his way in the dirde tion of Verner House,—which, as already atated, was about three miles distant from Ramagate. Ho travorsed the ficlds—he came in sight of the wan- sion--and then he stopped short, mentally cjacu- lating, “ But what on earth can I do to assist thin poor young lady ?” Iv know very well that if he wero eecn lurking about the premises, suspicion would ho efvited ; fur his conduct on tho preceding evening had more or less angered Mrs, Oxenden. If therefure it wero imagined inside the dwelling that he enter. tained the purpose of assisting Laura iu what- soover way she might require « friendly succour, it would only have tho effoct of increasing the, precautions doubtless already taken to keep ber in safe custody. At least, ao thought our hore: for be had made up his mind that she wae under terroriem ond coercion of some sort-~au opinivn which waa natural enough after all ho had aeon on the proviogs ciny. Waving reflected for some tine within hinmaoelf, Chistian deturmined to inepeet the grounda ataidst which Verner Huase was situated, ao that if by muy accident Laura should be walking out alove within the enclosure, he might address afew words to her and aseertain whether be could in any wav serve her or not. At the same time he was careful to conduct this inspection with all suitable caution, go as Dot tobe seen from the windows of $he house, Tu observe auch caution was not dufbeult, iuesyiuelbs as tho kitchen warden was surrounded by a high wall—the paddock and orehard by pulinga of an almost equal oltitude--and the adjacent raridowsa by thick hades. tree, Which cunmplotely concealed im, Chriatinn lnghed over info (he prounds in tho rear of the dwcilings he behd extensive alabling premises “a garden wl laid out, and having spucjous and nifinerous domestics moving about. Thus wealth of Sir John vindpwa formed a criterion of the sumptuousness with which the mansion was furnished. An hour t passod— and still Christian sate up in tho tree, completely covecalcd by its thiek embowering herv proceeded to the coffee-room, where an exevi- | foliage. Hos time was his own; and ho thought Jent breakfast was served up to him,—the waiters disnlavéng as much attention as if he were the best customer they ever had. There were several other gentlemen partaking of their morning meal nt the time: but one especially attracted Christian's notice. He was about three-and-twenty years of age—tall, well made—and without being positively handsome, hed a pood-looking countenance cha- ractcrised by manly ffankness. He however ecemed unhappy—or at least troubled in his mind —as might be discerned by the pensiveness of his air, which was however interrupted by occastonal slight starte as if be were goaded by some sudden Pep rs aah ho might as well apend it in working out a proud purpoxe, Presently be bebeld Sir Join Steward and Mes. Oxenden issue forth from the mansion and walt: tluwly across a lawn which separated tha kitchen garden from the back part of the promises. Mey were in deep and earnest dissuursa together. The old Baronet was clad in precisely the same way a1 on the previous evining—in bis dreamnye-gown, his cap, and slippers. Mee, Oxenden wore & white wuelin wrapper, faste cred up te the throat, and which displayed the fine symnetry of ber shape to its fullest ad. ° COMIC OOO© (C Ciumbing up into a, eER ce ee “ee eee + eis were i — <9 see, y Seger ere = eee eee ee Qe ge reine GP ae in aS SS a le a ee en Eg ES ym pC ior pyres, . a CO