The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 124: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES. and much want of virtuous principle in the general routine of her existence,—were atoned for by the fostesing succour thus afforded to an otherwise friendless, persecuted, and unhappy maiden! On returning to Devonshire House, Pauline par- took of luncheon with her kind-hearted §& end; and, the Duke's travelling-carriage having been ordered in the meantime, the young lady took an affectionate leave of the Duchess and set out for the villa near Aylesbury. There her preparations for departure were soon made; and QOctavia, whose aberration of intellect had within the last few days assumed the form of a harmless childishnesa, was delighted when she comprehended that she was to take a ride in the travelling-earriage. The nurse who had all along attended upon the unfortunate victim of royal lust, accompanied the sisters to their new home—or rather, on this return to their former one ;—and it was about eleven o'clock at night when the party reached Paradise Villas in the Edgeware Road. Pauline had entertained aome apprehensions re- lative to the effect which this removal to a familiar scene might produce upon her sister; and during the journey thither from the vicinage of Aylesbury, she had more than once regretted her resolution to take up her future abode in that house where Oc- tavia had first met the Prince. But those alarms proved unfounded, and, indeed, rather experienced an Opposite iesult: for on entering her former home, Octavia appeared to recognise it, changed though it were by the handsome furniture which now con- stituted its comfort and its tasteful elegance—and the unfortunate young lady, throwing herself upon Pauline’s bosom, burst into a flood of tears. From that day forth a gradual improvement was visible in the mental condition of Octavia Claren- on. CHAPTER CL. THE LAWYER AND HIS MYSTERIOUS VISITRESS, Te reader will observe it was on the day following the masquerade at Covent Garden Theatre that the adventures of Mr. Sneakaby and Ichabod Paxwax Occurred on the one hand, and that the iacidents chronicled in the preceding chapter took place on the other. It was likewise on this same day, and at about the hour of noon, that a young female, neatly apparelled and enveloped in a cloak, alighted from a hackney-coach at-the entrance to Featherstone Buildings, Holborn. Passing into that place, she examined the brass- plates on the doors and the inscriptions on the door- posts, until her eyes encountered the name of Ma. Riapex painted on one of the latter; and forth- with entering the Clerks’ Office, she inquired if she could see the attorney himsclf. The reply was in the affirmative; and her mame was requested. ‘This however she refused to give,—observing that Mr. Rigden did not know her, but that her business was of considerable importance. Finally, after.one of the clerks had communicated with bis master, the young woman was introduced to that gentleman's private office. ~ “ Be seated,” said Mr. Rigden, taking a rapid but searching survey of the visitress, as if he sought to penetrate into the nature of her business even be- fore she had begun to explain it;—and he saw be- 11} fore him a very pretty feinale—almost a girl—of short stature, and whose countenance wore an air of deep decision and firmness of purpose. Ia obedience tu his invitation, she took a chair: then, fixing her eyes for a few moments upon Mr. Rigden’s features, she scrutinised the:n in her turn, as if to assyre herself that he was a man to whom she might confide some purpose which she had in view. Rapid and even furtive as that survey was, Mr. Rigden did not fai] to notice it;—and the pro- foundly experienced man of business full well com- prehended its meaning and purport. Imagining, therefore, that the mystery attendant upon the vi- sitress and the very nature of that scrutinising look which she had fixed upon him, augured the develop- ment of an affair of more than‘usual importance, he said a few words to encourage her to open the re- quisite explanations. “ May I consider, sir,” said the young woman, “that if nothing should come of the discourse which we may presently have together, the subject of that conversation shall remain a profound secret ?” “Unless you divalge to me any crime the pan- ishmeat of which is demanded by the laws of Society,” responded the wary solicitor, “I shall as a matter of course look upon the object of your. Visit aa strictly confidential.” The young woman did not appear quite satis- fied with this answer; and she reflected profoundly for upwards of a miuute, during which Mr. Rigden took snuff with an air of caim indifference. “If you feel interested, sir, in the claims or pretensions of a particuiar client,” the girl at length said, “would you not be grateful to any one who could assist you in the furtherance of that client's interests ?” “Most assuredly,” answered the lawyer: then, in a measured and significant tone, he added, “ { should likewise know how to reward the individual rendering such succour.” “ But if this succour were of somewhat an equl- vocal character?” said the young woman, inguir- ingly. * here are many things which in the ordinary affairs of life deserve the name of subterfages, equivocations, unjust dealings, and the taking of improper advantayes, but which come within the legitima:e course of procedure in legal matters.” And having given this reply, which, though guarded aud caatious, was still encouraging, the attorney took auother pinch of snuff. ‘The productiou or the suppression of a docu- ment iu a law-suit is frequenily attended with the most important results, I believe ?” said the young woman, evideotly acquiring, confidence, and yet feeling her way with the utmost care. “Asa matter of course,” exciaimed Mr. Rigden * and it is the province of the lawyer to avail him- self of all those advantages which circumstances may throw in his way. Nor must he be over nice in looking into the source whence those advan- tages emanate.” Again the girl reflected deeply for a few mo- ments; — and again did Mr. Rigden regale his vostrils with snuff. “Suppose, sir,” resumed the strange visitress, “that you were interested for a client whose cause depended upon the production of certain papers or the part of his opponent ;—and suppose some one had ine power of rendcring it impossible for tha? =—@eww eee eee NSE es AS ES TTC AT 8 CE = a — e (C DOO ; — | SS