The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 156: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. hope long to spe it there. Money in advance? ‘Ob, no, gir!—not for the world! Bills sent in every Christrass, sir those are my terms.” “ You, will pardon me for having offered you other terms,” said Mr. Redcliffe: “ but I am com- paratively a stranger in England. I have been many, many years abroad———in India,” he added, as if quite in a careless manner; although he both foresaw and intended what the effect should be. “Oh, indeed !—in India, éir!” said M. Bertin, et once catching at the idea that his new customer must bea wealthy nabob. “ Ah, sir, fortunes are rapidly made in India.” , | “ Sometimes,” observed Redcliffe, still with an air of assumed careleseness—but yet with a snfft- cient degree of signifjcahoe to imply that it was' soinhisowncasn . ,. - “ Not been long in London, therefore, I pre- sume, sir?” gaid M. Bertin. _ - | | “ No—only a few months,” was the response. _“ Beg pardon, sir—but married, I suppose?” continued the tailor, who under a show of garru- lity, was always thus wont to fathom the affairs and circumstances of new customers so far as they thomselvea would allow him. “ Allrich gen- tlemen retyrning from India bring beautiful English wives with them ; or else they find them at once on setting foot in their native land.” “ Neither happens to be my case, M. Bertin,” rejoined Redjiffe. “ Lideed, T am completely a stranger———" — “ Ah, sir, whata pity!” cried the tailor. “ Plenty of money, and don’t know how to spend it? Beg your pardon, gir-—ijt may seem a very great liberty —but I mean no offence:”—and then ag Redcliffe forced hig countenance to assume an air of interest in what Bertin waa saying to him, the bustling Frenchman closed the parlour dvor. : “Pray speak candidly,” observed Redcliffe: “ you need not be afraid of giving me offence, I know that you fashionable tailors at the West End do not always confine your avocations to the ,mere cutting and fitting of garmente—but that you sometimes considerately and kindly help the inexperienced to initiate themselves into the mysteries of London life, Are my idess correct 7 nn ee rae | e , “ Nothing could possibly. bp more accurate, sir,” responded Bertin. “ Your name is now upon my} books, where I -have the honour of chronicling some of the first names of the British aristocracy. Of course, sit, noblemen ang gentlemen will be gay now and then: but they. have a thousand and ane reasons for concealing their gaiotics as much aa poseible.” | “T understand you, M. Bertin,” answered Red- cliffe; “end to tell you the truth I am rejoiced that accident should have led me te enter your establishment. It was the handsome exterior - which drew my attention. Ah, by the way, there ig an equally handsome establishment next door —I happened aggually to notice it——” | “Madame Angelique’s, sir. An excellent neigh- bour of mine ;"-—and M. Bertin bent significant -leok npon Redcliffe. ° “Madame Angelique?” said the latter, repeat- ing the name with the air of one who thought he had heard it before. “Surely that uame is not altogether unfamiliar to me? Ab, I recollect! At an hotel where I was dining, I overheard two young gentlemen at a neighbouring table, mention that name irs subdued tone. It did not parti- cularly strike.me at the time———” * Very indiscreet of those two young gentle- men, whoever they were—very indiscreet indeed!” sald M. Bertin, with ‘a look of annoyance: but instantaneously brightening up again, he added, “ Fortunately however their imprudent mention of that name was overheard by a gentleman of honour—a man of the world too—such as I per- ceive that you are, sir-——” “ Oh, I should not think of telling tales out of school, whatever they may be,” exclaimed Red- cliffe. “ But frankly speaking, M. Bertin, I begin to beterribly wearied of the monotony of the exist- ence I am leading; and if, as I think I under- stand, you have the power of giving me a few suggestions in respect to the means of pleasure- pursuit, I shall not merely be grateful, but shall know how to reward you.” _ The tailor gazed fixedly upon Reddliffe’s coun- tenance for a few moments; and satisfied with the survey, he said, “ At any time, sir, that you wish to be introduced into the most ing and agreeable ‘female society, pray favour me with a call. You know what I mean—female society of a certain class—but whose intellect and elegance of . manners, as well ag all drawing-room accomplish- ments are blended’ with the most ravishing per- sonal beauty.” _“ Not for a moment, ‘M. Bertin, will I affect to misunderstand you,” answered Redcliffe. “On the contrary, I do understand your meaning; and I shall avai] myself of yonr offer. How will you - be engaged this evening ?” “T shall be entirely at your orders, sir,” re- ‘sponded the sailor, inwardly chuckling at the idea of having got hold of a wealthy nabob, who beneath a severe exterior, concealed the passions and inclinations of e licentious libertine. “At nine o’clock I will return to pay you s visit,” said Mr. Redcliffe. “ You will find me here, sir,” responded Bertin : “ and then perhaps,” he added, with a significant smile, “you shall know something more of Madame Angelique—or at Teast of the of hourls which is as mysteriotsly concealed within her establishment, as the happy valley of Rasselas was hidden in the midst of moun- tains. Redcliffe smiled—nodded in a friendly way to the tailor—and took his departure. @Qearaswe QHAPTER XXVIIL EVELEEN. PREOISELY at nine o'clock Mr. Redoliffe returned to the tailor's establishment, and found M. Bertin expecting him. The little Frenchman bowed and scraped in his very best style, when Red- cliffe thrast a well filled purse in his hand; and the recipient thought within himself ‘that he was destined to turn a pretty penny by the wealthy Indian nabob. “TI will not insult you, sir,” he said, as he con- ducted Redcliffe into his parlour, “ by observing that thé strictest honour and secrecy are required in respect to those mysteries into which you are about to be initiated. I flatter myself that I am 148 (GO) an (C DOO Col