The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 157: what you’re looking at

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

Ad THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. ° rather skilful ia forming opiniong gs persons at a first glance——” - . “You need not be afraid, M. Bertin,” inter- rupted Redcliffe, “that I shall go elsewhere to babble of whatsoever I may see at Madame An- gelique's.” . “To be sure not, sir! You and I know what the world is,” rejoined the tailor, with a signifi- cant look; “and a gentleman of your travel and experience is well aware that sach establishments as these, are of the greatest convenience.” — “ The convenience, indeed, I have not the slightest doubt!” exclaimed Redcliffe, some- what drily. “Have the ess, sir, to follow me,” said M. Bertin: and he forthwith conducted hie new patron up the well carpeted staircase, to that room on the second storey where Annette was ‘always in attendance at certain hours for the re- ception of visitors. | This woman opened the m ous mirror- contrived door, and ts at one inside,— which was speedily unfolded; and Clement Red- cliffe passed on into the luxuriously furnished saloon to which the reader has already been | introduced. The four young ladies were not | ' however there at the moment: it was Madame Angelique who gave him admittance: and an introduction was effected by the o whispered, ‘A piree with a hundred guineas as my fee! Make much of him !” Madame Angelique closed the mysterious door, having thus received an intimation of Redcliffe’s liberality towards her accomplice the tailor, as well ag a hint to the effect that she might, by playing her own cards well, feather her nest to her heart's content. “ Have the kindness to follow me, sir,” she sald, with ber most amiable and winning smile, .as she _Opened the door of the apartment. ious tailor,—who immediately afterwards withdrew. But while passing by fhe milliner, he hurriedly that business,” reponded the milliner. “As scarcely any stepe have been taken; but if I make up my mind to a particular enterprise, I sel- dom fail in accomplishing it. “You must know, sir,” continued the Infamous womaa, “that my noble and generous patrons make it worth my while to furnish all possible rarities and varicties of female charms; and amongst these patrons I hope to include Mr. Redcliffe.” “Most assuredly,” was this gentleman's re- sponse. “ Now, I see, my dear madam, that be- tween you and me there need not exist any dis- guise. I am wealtby—and f am addicted to pleasure. I care not how large a price I pay for it. You understand me.” “I do, Mr. Redcliffe,” replied Madame An- gelique; “and J thank you for speaking so frankly. It is always better.” “ And those oriental béantias ?” “As yet I know nothing more of them than that they are beaufes,” cortinued the milliner “ One is comparatively falr, of ravishing loveli-. ness: the other is of dusky complexion, and as handsome in countenance and as finely modeliad fn form as poet ever imagined.” ' a “Indeed™ gafd Redcliffe.’ ‘* And where do they live, these orlental honris of: hah she aad “ Ah, my dear air,” exclaimed Madame Ange- lique, tapping Redcliffe familiarly on the arm, “I cannot exactly tell you afl my litde secretes. Bat you who have been In India, wilt doubtless appreciate these rarities; and you will not mind a liberal] outlay ff I introduce you first to one, and afterwatds to thé other——Of cours I mean beneath this ropf. Doubtless the task will bee dificult one: there will be stratagem, mechine- tion, inveiglirg, and so forth: bat once Aere—— you understand me—for ‘thefr own credit's sake, they will not afterwards speak of what has occurred.” “ Am I to usderstand that they live together f” inquired Redcliffe; “ because if ‘go, the task will Redcliffe, parposely assuming as much bland- | perha ness of manner as he could possibly cail to his eid, accompanied Madame Angelique to her own boudoir, to which she led him. She begged him to be seated ; and taking a chair near, she began expressing her sense of the honour which. she experienced in receiving a patron of whom her friend M. Bertin had spoken so highly. She went on to intimate that as gold evidently was no object to Mr. Redcliffe ehe could introduce him to some of the most beautiful creatures in the metropolis—not merely those who were dwelling beneath her own roof, but others with whom she was acquainted and to whom she had access “My friend M. Bertin has hinted to me this evening previous to your arrival, sir,” she continued, “that you have been a long time in India. I know not exactly how your taste may be: but Ithink that I might possibly in- troduce yo to certain paragons of beauty from that same oriental clime——_”" “ Indeed observed Redcliffe, who was deter- mined'to giean as much as he possibly contd from Madame Angelique. “I should be de _ and yon have been rightly tnformed that money 4s no object to me. But who are these paragons of beanty of whom you speak ?” “Oh! It will be no easy matter to accomplish pPe-— : “Be all the hore difficult,” Madame Ange- fiqne hastened to exclaim,—proposing to exact a price commensurate With the amount of obstacia, real or imaginary, which she might eventually be enabled to boast of having overcome. ~ = “ Yee—they live together: ‘the ‘fuirer’of the two is the mistrees—the darker one is the at- tendant ; a i is in a saber of Lotden that they reside. But more than u must really not expect to know for the preset,” added Ms- dame Angelique, with a smile. “Ob, I wil not attempt to penetrate into your secrets, my dear madam,” exclaimed Red- '| ciffe. “ By af] means let me be considered as the one who is to be fortunate enongh——”™ “ ft is a bargain, sir,” interrupted the mfiliner; “ and shall be falfilfe:.” orienta] paragons, remember that my name——" “Good heavens, my dear sir, not for the world cried Madame Angelique. “I om discretion personified! Your name shall not be mentioned. I eanncot promise that suc- cess will be speedfly accomplished. As yet I have learned but little more than the fact of these charming creatures’ existence in London. Yes —I eye satisfied myself (SOL (C DOO Col