The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 223: what you’re looking at

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A 210 He did net want his own money, as he had plenty of funds at his disposal: but the warning given him by the friendly-disposed waiter had rendered him determined to look after that which was his due; for he thought it by no means improbable that Baron Farthenless might endeavour to cheat him out of it—an opinion to which he was more or less justified in arriving, inasmuch as during the week he had seen but too many instances of the dirty meanness and paltry expedients to which the members of the ducal retinue had recourse for obtaining wines, cigars, spirits, and other things beyond the limit of their actual allow- ances. , “What for you sall be waiting, yong mans ?” inquired Baron Raggidbak, taking our hero aside and speaking to him in a confidential whisper. “Tam waiting to see Baron Farthenless,” an- swered Christian. “Does your lordship shortly expect him ?” _ * Yea—I suspects him in one — fwo— tree minute. He am gone for to go to de palace to see de Prince; and he come back vare soon wid de moneys.” oe “Gone to the palace to get money pf the Prince?” ejaculated Christian, thus piving in- voluntary utterance to his amazemenf. _: “Yes, begar!” responded Ragpidbak, 6! De vare goot Prince ta act as— how you call it ?>———Oh! de banker de Duke al e times we sall be in England, ,J waiting too for de moneys. I vare rich men in mine own country — vare rich: but me forgot to bring over wid me de | . tousand pounds which I was meant for to do. Have you got such a ting, yong mans, as six shjl- ling in your bottle of de wine till de Baron sall come back.”. . Christian was determined not to be mulcted a second time by Baron Raggidbak; and $0 he gave an evasive response,—whereat his lordship loqked deeply indignant and turned haughtily away, playing with his gilt brass watch-chajn,,, , .. Almost immediately afterwards Baron Farthen- leas made his appearance ; and then Christian was surprised to see how the noblemen and gentlemen of the ducal retinue crowded around the Privy Purse,—surveying him with looks of eeger in- quiry, and ready to stretch forth their dirty hands with hungry avidity to clutch whatsoever spoil pe had to place at their disposal. And spoil it real] was,—spoil wrung from the overtaxed industry a the working classes, and which, though b Act o Parliament passing through the hands of a naturalized foreign Prince, was thus destined to |. find its way into the pockets of these German cormorants whom the reigning Duke of Maxe- Stolburg-Quotha had brought over with him, Christian was infinitely disgusted; and ag soon a¢ he had received his own salary, he took his depar- ture. We must now observe that durin g the week which had thus elapsed since he entered intg the service of the Duke of Maxe-Stolburg-Quetha, he had every day seen the beautiful Isabella Vincent —but only for a few minutes at a time; and on no occksion to enter into discourse with her, save in the presence of Mr. or Mrs. Chubb. His in- terest in the charming girl could scarcely be said to have increased—for it had already reached the point at which it had become the purest and sin- pocket P—and we sall drink one] , ——” © THE MYSTERIES OF THE GOURT. cerest love. But he saw that some mystery enveloped her; and he was curious to fathom it. On returning to his lodging, between five and six o'clock in the evening, after receiving his salary from Baron Farthenless, he found a well-dressed but by no means agreeable-looking man knocking at the door of Mr. Chubb’s house. The summons was not immediately answered; and Christian accordingly waited on the stepe with this indi- vidual,—who surveyed him, as he thought, in a rathar suspicious manner. He was a person of abouf forty years of age—by no means good- looking—clothed in black—and exhibiting great neatneas and carefulnees of toilet. Presently the door opened; and the servant-girl, evidently re- cognising fhe visitor, conducted him into the parlour—while Christian repaired to his own room. About half-an-hopr afterwards, Mrs. Chubb made her appearance before her youthful lodger; and he at once saw by her countenance that some- thing had troubled her. This countenance of her's was never the sweetest in its expression; end therefore when anything did transpire to put her out, it was vixenish and disagreeable to a de- “I am oome, Mr, Ashton,” she said, “to beg that you will suit yourself with other apartments as soon as possible—this very evening, if so be you gan; and in course, if you insist upon it, I eha’n't claim the week’s rent which is due, because I am not giving you a week's notice.” . © But what is the meaqning of this?” inquired Christian, perfectly astonishad as well as hurt by the suddenness of the proceeding. “‘ Never mind, sir! J have got no explanations to give—leastways thera is no call to have any words about it: but as a gentleman [I trust you will do me this faviour at once.” “ Mrs. Chubb,” angwered Christian, half indig- nant and half remons{reting, “it is impossible you + - -_-_—- —- —— 2 ee oe ee — . —_——s ee ee can treat me in such A manner without explaining | your conduet. If my own behaviour has been im- | proper or discourteous to yourself or any one be- neath your roof moa. | “ Well, sir,” interrupted Mrs. Chubb, softening somewhat, “there’s no faylt to find with your con- du t: you're a gentleman,; and you behaved 8s sich. But I do beg this favidur at your hands; and, in course, if in taking another lodging you refer to mp I shall say al} that’s good and proper. Pray don’t press me any farther, there’s a dear young gentleman: but see sbout moving at once.” “Tt is totally impossible that I can find another lodging this evening,” anawered Christian, cruelly annoyed and perplexed: “but after the way in which you, have just spoken to me, I certainly feel myself bound to leave tg-morrow.” “ Well, sir, I must make that do,” responded Mrs. Chubb; “and thank’ee kindly.” 7 Thereupon ahe guitted the room ; and Christian was left to deliberate upon all that had occurred. Was it on Isabella’s account that he had re ceived this notice? —was that man whom he had encountered at the street door, in any way connected with her? He hoped not: for there was something in the look of that individual which he by no means liked—a certain sinister expression which appeared to indicate hypocrisy, cunning, and other debasing sentiments. He now longed Diep 2a ye EEE a Ee ww eee ee . | : | | ) 3 | | nee COMMIC DOO Col