The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 176: what you’re looking at

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qn iss. Ber Pe a wee oe ee ee eee ee THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. of this charming creature, &s there is between the uncouth cart-horse and the thorough-bred. The parish clerk was leaning against the railings in front of the house, his hat cocked over his left ear—his white cravat loosened and in disorder— and his lips giving forth incoherent mutterings, in which the words “ vestry” —“ hundredth psalm’”’— “ prnise and glory,” blended with an oath or two, were alone intelligible. “Tam sorry,” said Christian, lifting his hat to the young creature whose beauty so ravished him, “that you should be compelled to gaze on stich a spectacto as this.” The young girl advanced upon the threshold— held forward the light which she carried in her hand—and now saw more plainly than shé did at first, in what condition Mr. Chubb had been brought home. Her countenance, hitherto re- markable for its softness, atid characterized by the éweetest amiability of look, rapidly assumed an expression of mingled astonishment, mdigrition, and disgust: but snddenly bethinking herself that somb answer was due to Christian’s courteous remark, sho said with a well-bred affability; blended with the sweetest virginal modesty, “ And I on ny part, sir, ani sorty that you should have had so unpleasant a task to perform.” “What's the matter P” cried a stilt vixenish femiale voice from the top of the staircase: “ what’s the matter, I say, Miss Vincent ?”’ | “Ah,” thought Christian to hittself, “she is not, then, tho daughter of these people !”—and he felt an indoscribablé and at the moment unec- countable satisfaction at receiving this corfirma- tion of his previous ide& upon the subjett. “Tt is Mr. Chubb,” answered the young I¢*dy— for such indeed did she appear to be: and she spoke with an amiable swectness, mingled however with a visiblo timidity and trepidation: “Then why doesn’t Mr. Chubb come in?” de- manded the sane shrill vice which hed already spoker from the hend of the staircase. “ Arid whd are you a-talking to there, Miss Vincent ?”’ “A young geritleman has been kihd enotgh,” she answered, “to seé Mr. Chubb hone.” “Oh, I understand all about it!” cried the shrill voice: “ he’s drunk—the beast!” At this coarse, though really not altogether uncalled fot rematk, the countenance of the beau- tifal Miss Vincent flushed acdin, as if the natutal delicacy of hor soul were shocked at the woman’s grossness} and the qtick furtive look which she threw at Christian, showed him how pained the felt at being thus seen in any sort of connexion . with euch low-bred persons. The youth, however, glanced towards her with a mibgled admiration dnd sympathy, which proved that he felt for her—r and that so far from thinking the worse of her for Being in that house, he commiserdtcd her on account of the circumstancet, whatsoever they might be, which had thus thrown her in the com- panionship of the Chubb fariily. Mrs. Chubb now made het appearnnce, in the form of a tall, gawky, ledn woman, with & very cour aspect, and indeed a forbidding Idok. She wus only half dressed, and was in her hight-cap;— having evidently emerged from het couch. “T am surd if I had expected this,” she ex- claimed; “#hen E went to bed; ill as I was, and askeil you, Miss Vincent; to have the kindness to ee oo we ete ne Ge te oem e.g) en ee. © we 0 4 +e TO - +O ee sit up for him———But see how the drunken brute 1s leaning against them railings! Isn’t hea pretty feller to stand up to-morrow and ask others to jine ia with him ih singing to the praiso and glory of God? Why, he'll have his eyes so bleared, and red, and blinking, that he'll look like an owl in an ivy bush. Come along, do!’—and she wourd up her tirade by clutching her husband by the arm and shaking him violently. Mr, Chubb, who evidently stood in mortal awe of his wife, was a trifle sobered by her presence and by the shaking process: so that he was enabled to stagper into the house. “ Thank’ee, young gentleman, for your attention,” gaid Mrs. Chubb to our hero. “Good night, sir,” said Miss Vincent, in the sweet music of her soft voice. “Good hight,” answered Christian: and as the door closed behind him, he walked slowly away,— jis imagination full of the beautiful creature whom he had thtts seen at the parish clerk’s house. CHAPTER XXXII. THE BOX. Prucisety at nine o'clock on the ensuing Tuesday évening, Christian Ashton arrived in a cab at Ma- dame Antgelique’s establishment. He alighted; and entering the shop, which was not as yet closed, gave his name to Madame Angelique’s Erench deputy, who was behind the counter. The woman seemed at once to understand what she had to do; arid in her broken English, she informed Christian that if he would return to the cab, the box he had been sent for should be immediately brought out to him. In a few minutes this woman herself appeared, carrying the box,—which wads a large deal one, carefully corded; and the key was sealed up in a little parce], which was likewise consigned to Christian’s care: , The cab drove away; and as the driver had previously received his instructions from bur hero, he proceeded sttaight to Mortimer Street. Mr. cliffe was ot home, expecting Christian; and the youth himself enrried the box up-stairs to Mr. Redcliffo’s sitting-apartment. He reesived a cordial welcome from that gentleman, who also inquired most kindly after his sister. “TI saw her this morning, sir,” replied Christian ; ‘and she was quite well. Sho is however natu- rally grieved at the circumstance of my leaving town; because we shall We separated for a whole mdnth. And now; Mr. Redcliffe, I have brought the box according to your instructions: and here is a little packet containing the key.” Redcliffe took the packet—cxamined the seal— and found that it was a common one, impressed by a stone that had no device nor initials upon it. Ho unhesitatingly broke open the packet— took forth the key—and bade Christian uncord the box. This was specdily done; and Mr. Red- cliffe then said; “I have before observed to you, Christian; that wo are engaged in an entérprise which will not permit us to be over scrupulous or fastidions in the course we pursue. It is better that wo should be guilty of a élight violation of the sanctity of seals and locks, than tamely and 168 (GO) an (C DOO Col