The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 348: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. awoke in the morning, he had to begin his medita- | tions on that point all over again. He was equally uncertain how to act in respect to his own personal concerns—whether he should leave the hotel and take a cheap lodging, so that he might remain in Ramegate for a few days in the hope that events might occur to render him useful to Laura—or whether he should remain at the hotel until the morrow and see what that day might bring forth. His doubts in this respect were however set at rest when he descended from his chamber: for the landlord requested him to step into his parlour— where he addressed him in the following man- net :— “T returned home too late last night, Mr. Ash- ton, to be enabled to have a word with you, You are aware of the mention I felt it my duty to make of you in the telegraphio despatch. As you may essily suppose, my first inquiry on reaching London yesterday afternoon, was at the banker's where the villain Sycamore pretended to have a considerable sum of money; and I need hardly tell you that his representations were entirely falee. I thence proceeded to the hotel in Piccadilly; and there I learnt that the statement you had made me in respect to the mode of your introduction to Sycamore, and the short period of your acquaint- ance, was strictly correct. In short, I know you to be an honourable young gentleman; and I am even sorry that you should have thought it neces- sary to liquidate your own account at my hotel, inasmuch as it was incurred under the impression that it would be paid by your employer. I will not insult you by offering to return the money: but I beg that you will do me the favour to remain here as my guest for as long as it may suit you to stay in Ramsgate. Is there any necessity for your speedy departure P” On the contrary,” replied Christian, “ it suite me well enough to remain here for a few days; and as your proposal is so generously made, in the same friendly spirit do I accept it.” “Use the coffee room, therefore,” said the land- lord, “just as if it were your own; and I will take care that every attention shall be shown you. As for that villain Sycamore, he will be punished— and this isa source of satisfaction. Fortunately his boxes contain the greater portion of the goods which he obtained from the tradesmen in this town ; and they shall all be returned to them.” “But your loss is a severe one?” remar Christian. The landlord shrugged his shoulders, and said “It is one of the risks which we must run in business.” Here the conversation ended; and our young hero proceeded to the coffee-room, where an excel- lent breakfast was served up to him,—the waiters displaying as much attention as if he were the best customer they ever had. There were several other gentlemén partaking of their morning meal at the time: but one especially attracted Christian’s notice. He was about three-and-twonty years of age—tall, well made—and without being positively handsome, had a good-looking countenanee cha- racterised by manly frankness. He however seemed unhappy—or at least troubled in his mind ——as might be discerned by the pensiveness of his air, which was however interrupted by occasional slight starts as if he were goaded by some sudden 335 poignancy of fecling. He was handsomely dressed : his appearance was eminently genteel; and when he had occasion to address the waiter, it was with the well-bred air of the polished gentleman, Christian had not seen him at the hotel before this occasion; and be presently learnt, from some ob- servation which he made to the waiter, that he had. only arrived late on the previous evening. After breakfast, Christian strolled out; and he soon found himself bending his way in the direc. tion of Verner House,—which, as already stated, was about three miles distant from Ramsgate. He traversed the fields—he came in sight of the man- sion—and then he stopped short, mentally ejacu- lating, “ But what on earth can I do to assist phis poor young lady ?” He knew very well that if he were seen lurking about the premises, suspicion would be extited 5 for his conduct on the preceding evening had more or less angered Mrs. Oxenden, If therefore it wore imagined inside the dwelling that he enter- tained the purpose of assisting Laura in what- soever way she might require a friendly succour, it would only have the effect of increasing the precautions doubtless already taken to keep her in safe custody. A¢é least, so thought our hero: for he had made up his mind that she wae under terrorism and coercion of some sort—an opinion which was natural enough after all he had seen on the previous day. Having reflected for some time within himself, Christian determined to inspect the grounds amidet which Verner House was situated, so that if by any accident Laura should be walking out alone within the enclosure, he might address a few words to her and ascertain whether he could in any way serve her or not. At the same time he was careful to conduct this inspection with all suitable caution, so as not to be seen from the windows of the house. To observe such caution was not difficult, inasmuch as the kitchen garden was surrounded by a high wall—the paddock and orchard by palings of an almost equal altitude—and the adjacent meadows by thick hedges. Climbing up into a tree, which completely concealed him, Christian looked over into the grounds in the rear of the dwelling : he beheld extensive stabling premises e-a garden well laid out, and having spacious conservatorics—several horses in the paddock— 4nd numerous domestics moving about. Thus everything indicated the wealth of Sir John Steward—while the handsome draperies of the windows formed 4 criterion of the sumptuousness with which the mansion was furnished. An hour passod—and still Christian sate up in the tree, completely concealed by ité thick embowering foliage. His time was his own; and he thought Ke might as well spend it im working out a good . Presently he beheld Sir John Steward and Mrz. Oxenden issue forth from the mansion and walk slowly across a lawn which separated the kitchen garden from the back part of the premises. They were in deep and earnest discourse together. The old Baronet was clad in precisely the same way as on the previous evening—in his dressing-gown, his cap, and slippers. Mrs. Oxenden wore a white. muslin wrapper, fast- ened up to the throat, and which displayed the fine symmetry of her shape to its fullest ad- _ (GO) an (C DOO Col