The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 320: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

SSS css gass-usrrssensprssnenspsnessesnanigacumnannneso-tenstaeemnmssnmmsmeanse THE MYSTERIES. a “The excitement of gambling is killing you,” ob- served Mrs. Brace, coldly. “Ah! you say that, because I have made some to- lerably heavy drains upon your purse lately—or rather our purse,” exclaimed Frederick: ‘for we are as good as man and wife, although you won't have the nuptial knot tied. But, however, thaé doesn’t matter much, seeing that we live together just the same as if ten thousand parsons had spoken what they call the marriage blessing. Now, my dear, when [ first in- sisted upon our entering on this pleasant and agreeable understanding together, you prated a great deal about such a step being the ruin of your establish- ment———” “TY told you, Frederick,” interposed Mrs. Brace, with some degree of warmth, “that if you persisted in placing yourself on terms of equality with me and becoming the master of the house, the business would be injured in every way. And my words have come true. All my rich patrons have deserted the establish- ment in St. James’s Square—and day after day the custom of the millinery department is falling off.” ‘Is it indeed, though ?” exclaimed Dray. “J have already assured you more than once that such is the fact,” returned Mrs. Brace. “Well, perhaps you have,” said the man, now re- suming his wonted manner of careless indifference: “but I don’t recollect everything unpleasant you tell me. As for how the business in either establishment can fall off, I really don’t understand: because none of the patrons of the accommodation-house in the Square could possibly have supposed that you were immaculate—especially as most of them have no doubt enjoyed your favours at one time or another ;—and why the fashionable demireps who used to frequent the shop and show-rooms, should leave you because you now live openly with a lover instead of conducting your little amours on the sly, I can’t understand either.” “If I were to explain the matter to you, Fre- derick,” said Mrs. Brace, “‘ you would only be offended —and then we should‘have one of those violent scenes to which you so readily give way and which have not been the most insignificant causes of the wretched- ness that is crushing me.” ‘«*Pon my soul I won't gay an angry word if youll explain yourself” observed the ex-footman. “ Somebow or another I feel in a humour to talk over our affairs to-night. So speak out—and don't be afraid.” « Well, then,” resumed Mrs. Brace, “if I had taken a lord or a well-born gentleman to live openly with me, I should not have been deserted by one of my old friends and numerous patrons—no, nor yet by my lady-customers in the millinery department. Bat they will never forgive me for having raised a footman from the kitchen to the parlour.” “Then curse them all for their impudence!” growled Dray, savagely. “ Ah! it is very easy to curse them,” exclaimed Mrs. Brace, warming with her subject: “bat curses wen't replenish the till in the shop, nor put gold inte my private purse ;—and at the rate which you are going on, we shall soon be ruined—utterly ruined. Do you know how much money—hard cash, I mean —you have had of me during the few weeks of our connexion in this manner ””’ “Oh! I suppose you keep an sccount, then?” seid Dray, zloomily. “To be sure I do,” returned Mrs. Brace: “and I can tell you that between three and four thousand pounds have been lost by you at the gaming-table, in addition to the extravagant mode of living which you have introduced into the house. Things can’t go on as they are—and I am therefore glad you are in a humour to talk over our affairs to-night.” “I am infernally out of sorts,” said Dray, who really looked very unwell and sate uneasily in his chair ; “and I suppose it’s because I am not well, that I have got gloomy ideas in my head. Come, Ill forgive you for what you told me about elevating a footman from the kitchen to the parlour; and I'll reason with you tranquilly and quietly over our position and our plans. What would you advise ?” “ Let us leave the country and go to America,” said Mrs. Brace. “I am sick and tired of England: be- sides—there is the constant danger,” she added, a deep gloom suddenly overspreading her countenance, “of a discovery-————” “ Hush! I know what you mean—lI should be a fool if I didn't,” interrupted Frederick Dray: then, with a significant look, he added, “ And yon know, my dear, you had some very serious thoughts of bolting off to America and leaving me in the lurch, just after that affair of Mobbs: but I surprised you—discovered your secret intent——~” “Well, well—we need talk no more of that,” cried Mrs. Brace, impatiently. ‘I gave you a solemn pledge to abandon that project, at least until you were disposed to fall into my views: and I have kept my word.” “ 'Yes—becanse I threatened to blow your brains out if I caught you at any tricks again,” observed Frederick, with a renewal of his savage tone and mannor. . ‘Why treat me thus harshly, when we are dis- coursing together upon serious matters?” said Mrs Brace, the tears trickling dow: her cheeks. “Come, come—no whimpering now!” ejaculated Dray. “It is this cursed feeling of uneasiness which I experience all over,” he added, in a milder voice, “which makes me cross towards you. I have got a head-ache, and a general unpleasant feeling through- out my body. But what were we talking about? Oh! I remember—you propose to leave England and be off to America. Well—I am not s0 averse to that plan as I was some weeks ago. London then appeared full of pleasures to me: but now I am surfeited with them-—nauseated—almost diagusted. And since you assure me that the business is falling off——” “You cannot doubt itt” ejaculated Mrs. Brace. “ Three months ago I had eleven young ladies in the establishment: and now there are but three. Rachel Forresfer wanted to come back again yesterday, after the severe illness which followed her eonfinement ;— and I was compelled to refuse the poor girl’s appli- cation. All my economy does not counterbalance your wasteful expenditure: and although since Har- riet left, I have not engaged another lady’s-maid-———”" “Ah! poor Harriet—she has been confined, too,” observed Dray, with a heartless indifference of man- ner. “Let me see—her month is pretty nearly up— and she will be wanting to come back——” * Or else to be well provided for,” added Mrs. Brace. « Heavens! what trouble that young woman has given me! The coaxings and threats—the entreaties and menaces that I have used—the money I have given her—the difficulty I had in persuading her te leave the house ere her condition became visible——” “Well, well— you needn't recapitulate all these CONNEC OOO SS (COLUM