The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 295: what you’re looking at

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BA with some trustworthy individual in London, to be sent after us by the best possible weans, so soon as we found that we were really sortain of receiving the support of the leading men in La Vendée.” “His Grace speaks wisely and prudently,” ob- served Mr. Page. “ That is the proper course to pursue f” “Well, my lords,” said the Marquis de Saint Croix, “are we resolved upon making the attempt ? —shali we at once come to the decision of repairing without delay to our own native land, at all perils and at all risks? For my part, I will be the first to give my vote in the affirmative.” “ And I have already intimated my readiness to join in the expedition,” observed the Marquis de Bellois. “We will either restore the throne or ; give our heads to the guillotine.” ¢ Amen,” said the Duke of Villebelle, solemnly. “ And now, my lords, we have two points to deter- mine upon. The first is, when shall we set off ?— and the second is, to whom shall we entrust the money which I have at present lying in a London bank ?” * With regard to the first point,” said De Bellois, “T should advise that no unnecessary delay take place. In fact, I am prepared to start to-morrow morning.” “I may as well observe,” exclaimed Mr. Page, “at this stage of the proceedings,—I mean, since the money question is about to be touched upon,— that his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales au- thorised me this very day to assure the Marquis de Saint Croix that the twenty thousand pounds due @ his lordship shall be paid in a week’s time. I was about to mention this fact just now, when his lordship bade me speak no more upon the subject. Bat the incident becomes of importance at this stage of the proceedings, inasmuch as I shall cheer- dally hold myself bound to undertake a trip to. La Vendeé and convey to his lordship the Mar- quis the sum of money to which I am referring.” . “Your conduct, Mr. Page, is most admirable ™ exclaimed the venerable Marquis de Saint Croix, seizing him by the hand and pressing it warmly. * You also, then, must feel profoundly interested in our cause, as well as your royal patron, the Prince of Wales?” “T will throw myself heart and soul into it,” said Mr. Page, affecting the fervour of enthusiasm. “It is the cause of order against chaos—justice against anarchy. You may command me, my lords, in all respects—humble an individual though I be.” The Duke of Villevelle and the Marquis de Bellois followed the example of the venerable Saint Croix by offering due acknowledgments to Mr. Page for his seeming devotion to their cause ;—~and then the three nobles began to converse together for a few minutes im their own native language—but not without having previously apologised to their English‘companion for this temporary exclusiveness in the deliberations. “Mr. Page,” at length said the Marquis de St. Croix, when the discussion in French was brought to a conclusion, “ their lordships and myself have come to the determination to solicit, through your medium, & particular favour of his Royal Highness the Prinee of Wales. I have recommended this proceeding, in otder to convince his Royal Highness of my deep -opentance for having persecuted him with demands ar the repayment ef the amount due to me at atime a a EN THE MYSTERI 6. when the Prince was really unable to meet my claim: and the Duke of Villebelle is anxious to afford his Royal Highness a proof of the importance which we attach to his countenance and co-operation in the projects now under discussion. In a word, then, Mr. Page, do you think that his Royal Highness would consent to become the guardian of the Duke of Villebelle’s funds, until such time as we may have settled all our plans in La Vendée f” “I could not possibly take it upon myself to re- turn a positive answer,” replied the ex-bagman, shaking his head gravely. “But if your lordships be anxious to have the point cleared up without de- lay, I will hasten te Carlton House at once and en- deavour to obtain a few minutes’ audience of his Royal Highness previous to the dinner-hour.” This proposal was welcomed with thanks; and Mr. Page immediately took his departure. But instead of repairing to Carlton House at all, he entered the nearest tavern, where he ordered and discussed a pint of sherry ;—aud having thus whiled away about half-an-hour, he returned to the noble refugees at the Marquis de Saint Croix’ lodgings. For the benefit of those who are not acquainted with London, we may as well observe that Bury Street was not more than five minutes’ walk from Carlton House; and therefore Mr. Page had been quite long enough absent to induce a belief that he had succeeded in obtaining an interview with the Prince. He accordingly found the three noblemen on the tiptoe of expectation concerning the result of his mission: for they flattered themselves that the course which they had adopted with regard to the Prince would lead him to afford their cause all the assistance he might be enabled to vouchsafe it. “fT have succeeded, my lords,” eaid Mr. Page, on returning to the apartment: “bat not without some degree of difficulty. The Prince would not listen to the proposal at first: he declared that he would never again become the custodian of any foreign refugee's funds. But when I explained to his Royal Highness how necessary it was that some trustworthy trea- surer should be found for the money, inasmuch as no London banker could at present undertake to re- mit large sums to France, especially in a secret manner,—and when I assured his Royal Highness that I was willing to convey the money over to La Vendée when the proper time should arrive, even though I might be compelled to undertake three or four journeys backward and forward for the purpose, —then did his Royal Highness yield to my repre- sentations and empower me to return to yvur lord- ships with an affirmative reply.” “ We owe you a deep debt of gratitude, Mr. Page,” said the Duke of Villebelle. “It is a material point gained. But did his Royal Highness specify a time when I may wait upon him and deposit the funds in his hands?” “To-morrow evening, at six o'clock, my lord,” answered the ready-witted Mr. Page, who was the last man in existence to be at a loss for a satisfactory - reply when one was needed. “Thus far, then, are our plans settled, my lords,” said the Duke de Villebelle. “We will now arrange the time of our departure from London and the route we shal! adopt to enter France.” } “TI will therefore take my most respectful leave of your lordships,” observed Mr. Page; “inasmuch as his Royal Highness has given mean important com- mission to execute for him, and my humble advice ElOOO® SS