The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 149: what you’re looking at

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

136 “It is just why Marchmont és welcome,” said Linda, the German girl, who also spoke English well: “because he is sure to give us cham “Hold your tongues, you selfish creatures '” cried Eveleen, the Irish git, with that interesting intonation of voice which gives such a peculiar charm to the Hibernian accent upon the lip of a well-bred daughter of the Emerald Isle. “Let us welcome him in another way :”—and with sportive joyousness she wound her arms about the Duke’s neck, at the same time kissing him upon either cheek. “Oh, if that is the sort of welcome you have in store for me,” said Marchniont, “pray let it be _ given at once.” Thereupon Miss Lettice folded him in her em- brace: Mademoiselle Armantine was the next to dispense her caresses; and though the German girl came last, yet she held him in her arms. “ And now my fair ones,” exclaimed the Dake, laughing with the air of a man who purposely sought this kind of society for the purpose of escap- ing from more serious, and perhaps unpleasant reflections—“let us have champagne and fruit, and we will pass a merry evening together. But first of all I must have a few words with Madame Angelique—and in private too. I have something of importance to speak to her about.” “You know where to find her,” said Lettice: “she is in her own room at this moment. Go quick, Marchmont—and if you remain too long, we will all four come in a body, armed with champagne-bottles, and with forced fruit as mis- see crave Jom back as our captive.” “‘Chains of festooning flowers should not be omitted from the implements of your coercion,” answered the Duke, forcing himself to speak in a gay manner : though, as he opened = door opposite the mysteriously contrived mirror, he could scarcely keep back a sigh which rose up into his very Closing the door behind him, he traversed the well carpeted passage, and tapped at another door on the same storey. The well-known voice of Madame Angelique bade him enter; and-he found her seated at table with none other than her neighbour M. Bertin. There was an exquisite supper upon the table,—a repast consisting of succulent French delicacies, served up on silver plate, and fianked with bottles of champagne, Bur- gundy, and Bordeaux. The room was a small one —but furnished in the most luxurious manner. It was Madame’s boudoir; and a door facing the one by which the Dake had entered, communicated with her bed-chamber. M. Bertin rose and bowed obsequiously: but Madame Angelique contented herself with a half-courteous, half-familiar smile,— at the same time indicating a chair. “I am sorry to disturb you, my dear madam, in the midst of eo agreeable a téte-d-téte,” said the Duke, speaking in the French tongue, with which he was perfectly conversant: “but I have some business of importance to discuss with you. Shall _ I return presently ?” “By no means, my lord,” answeted Madame Angelique, in a most gracious doubtless well knew that the Duke’s gold would indemnify her well for any little inconvenience she might experience on the score of the delicacies of the supper-table getting cold. manner: for she. que” ° “~eae4.—e=—QGEp .. ae eee eee Ge ww ee THB MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “And it just ” eaid the discrect and obsequious M, Bertin, “that I have a couple of letters to write——” “Which need not take you more than a quarter of an hour,” observed the Duke,—thus indicating the interval that he wished the tailor to remain absent from the milliner’s boudoir. M. Bertin bowed and withdrew : but so far from returning into his own house, or having any letters at all to write, he merely lounged ere scribed quarter of an hour in an Meanwhile let us sce what took place between the Duke of Marchmont and Madame Angelique. “I believe, my excellent friend,” said his Grace, “that you make all my wife’s dresses ?”’ “I have for some years enjoyed the honour of her Grace’s patronage,” was the milliner’s re- sponse. “And mine too, for that matter,” exclaimed the Duke, with a laugh. “But joking apart, have you made any dresses for her Grace re- cently ?” “At this very moment, my lord,” answered Madame Angelique, “I have three or four in hand for the Duchess of Marchmont.” “ Good!” ejaculated the Duke. “Of course you can make duplicates f”’ “ Make duplicates, my lord !" cried the milliner, with a most genuine amazement. - “Jo be sure. Why not?” “Oh !—of course, if your Grace wishes it, I could make a dozen of precisely the same ‘Never mind the dozen,” rejoined “a duplicate of each will answer all But recollect, the work must be so the a aamedet te ae her “'When will these dresses be ready ?”’ “I will take a good week, my lord-——” “They shall be positively at Marchmont House by nine o'clock on the day named———” “ No—you must not send them direct to March- mont House,” exclaimed the Duke: “that will never do! There must be no traco-———Buat how can it be managed ?” “Shall I forward the dresses in a box to Oak- lands, my lord ?”’ asked the milliner. “A box so light as that will be with nothing but woman's trumpery in it, would seem suspicious (SOL (C DOO Col