The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 155: what you’re looking at

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142 of which tt the milliner’s and the tafldr's establieh- ments might be rendered available? Redcliffe was shrewd and intelligent: his experience of the world was too large not to enable him to draw rapid inferences from certain circum- stances; and the’ question which he had just asked himself in respect to the lovers’ assigna- tion, became a conviction in his mind. He de- | ecended from the terrace, and passed slowly along the arcade lined with those shops where the choicest fruits of English gardens and hothouses, as well as of tropical produce, are so profusely displayed. In a few minutes the lady whom he had seen in the conservatory, passed him by. He at once recognised her by her dress: he glanced at her countenance, and saw that though calm to the superficial observer, yet that it was an assumed and unnatural serenity which to the experienced eye veiled not the agitation that lay beneath. A tall foottnan in a superb livery, and carrying a gold-headed cane, was lounging in the areade: but tho instant he beheld the beautiful lady approaching, he accosted her with a respect- fal salutation. “ Has the fruit been sent to the carriage ?" she inquired : and Redcliffe, who heard what passed, perceived that there was a clouded tremulousness in her low soft musical voice. “Yes, my lady,” was the response given by the lacquey. “Are there any flowers which your ladyship has ordered ?” “None to-day,” was her rejoinder. “I saw not any that pleased my fancy.” No wonder that this titled lady should have for- gotten, or else have neglected, her originally pro- posed purchase of nature's floral beauties: for a sweeter and more delicious flower—love, which is the rose of the sonl—had absorbed all her thoughts and engrossed all her time upon the terrace above! She eontinued her way through the market, the footman following at a short distance; and when near the end of thearcade, she was suddenly joined by an individual whose almost revolting ugliness formed a perfectly hideuus contrast with her own bright and fascinating beauty. He was a man of at least sixty, with large prominent features—d disagreeable and repulsive look; and #0 totally different from the fair creature who had becomte the object of Redcliffe’s interest, that it was im- possible even to believe that he was her father, though more than old enough to claim that title— and very nigh sufficiently so to be her grandfather. His figure was ungainly, and had scarcely the ad- vantages of dress to improve it: for though bis raiment wasall of the best materials, it neverthe- Teas fitted as if thrown on with a pitchfork: His coat was large and loose — his pantaloons narrow, short, andscanty : and he wore gaiters, which were put on in a slovenly manner. But on the other hand, it was evident that he was very particular and nice with his lavish display of snowy shirt- irill, Such was the individual who joined the Jady near the extremity of the arcade which fronts St. Paul's Church. “Thope I have not kept you waiting,” said, as she took his proffered arm. ‘‘No—certainly not, my angel,” he answered, endeavouring to torture his looks and his voice into the tenderest expression of which they were susceptible, —those luoks which were so repulsive she Emily, that I should keep gow waiting. and that voice which Was 80 bareh and discordant. «] have been turning overall the booksin Willis’s ‘shop for the last half-hour, without findiag what I wanted. Indeed, I was fearful, my sweetest And now, are all your purchases sent to the car- n “ All,” was the response given by the lady; and Redeliffe, who ‘had followed the group; saw the ‘footman hurry on in adwance to give a brother-lacquey notice of the apoproath of their master and mistress; so tat: the door of the magnificent equipage was ready opened by the time they reached it. The uxorious old husband—for in this light did he evidently stand towardsthat young aad bean tiful lady—-handed ber in; and when the door closed upon them, he give ‘the word, “ Home!” The two footmen touched their hats, and sprang up behind, each with his gold-headed cane: the stout coachman—who seemed as if having ones got on to the box, be had grown to it end could never hope to get down aguin—just suffered tis lash of his whip to touch the backs of the twe splendid bay horses which were already pawing the ground, impatient of the delay ; and off dashed the superb equipage,— an Earl's armorial bearings panels. : He continued his way in deep thought, and returned to that fashi e street in which the neighbouring ‘establishments. of Madame An- gelique and M. Bertin was situated. By the time he reached that street, the dusk was closing in—for the reador will recolleet. that it is the mosath of Jenuary of which we are writing ;— and both shops were now a blaze of gastight. It seemed as if Redcliffe's mivd were slready meade up as to the course which he should por- sac; for without the slightest hesitation, he at once turned into the tailor’s establishment. MM. Bertin was behind the counter: and he received Mr. Redcliffe’s orders, which were for somes new clothes. ‘+ Have the goodness, sir,” eaid the obsequicus Bertin, with his politest bowimgs and scrapings, “to walk this way :"—and he conducted his new customer into a well-faurnished back parlour, where he wis wont to measure his:distinguished patrons. Redcliffe was exceedingly profuse in the orders which he gave to M. Bertin: and as a matter of course, he said not a syllable on tlie sabject of price. His object was to make as favousatble an impression as possible upon the tailor. ‘*What pame and address, sir, shall I have the honour of entering in my book?” asked M. Bertin, when he bad finished the measurement of his new customer: and be was all smiles and bows-—-for tbe liberality of Redcliffe's order had won the admiration of the <UAGUONOTY money~ loving Frenchman. Redcliffe gave the necemaary perticolars—end then added, “ Perhape, ae Iam a total strauger to you, you will allow me to leave a cheque upoa my benker for whatsoever amount you ehooes te name ?” “Ob, it is by no means necessary, I can assure you, sir! !” responded M. Bertin, with cuutianed smilings and bowings. “I feel highly hvnodred, sir, in having your name upon my buvoks—end Ne ae ae ne THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. (COLL (C DOO Col