The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 365: what you’re looking at

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

354 — - ae a, reference to the law-suit in which shé was engaged with the Montgomery family. “Of course your ladyship is aware that the vaults have already been visited and the registers examined by agents sent down from London on the part of Earl Montgomery and Lady Holderness?” “T am no stranger to the fact which you men- tion,” said the Marchioness. “ Indeed, I have seen the affidavits which have been put in by my oppo- nents, and which embody a] the evidence ubtained by Lord Montgomery’s agents when they visited Bellenden Church. But I believe that his lordship himself came down in the first instance—did he not?” “He did, my lady,” answered Mr. Roberts. “It was about three months ago, as nearly as I can guess: but his lordship only remained in the village for a few hours, dering which he was making all kinds of inquiries ‘amongst the very oldest inhabitants of the place.” “ And those inquiries were relative to the tradi- tions of the Bellenden family?” said the Marchio- ness, interrogatively. “ Precisely so,” returned the clergyman. “ Just before his lordship took his departure he called upon me and said—-——” “Tell me everything that fell from the Barl’s lips on that occasion,” exclaimed the Marchioness. “ Consult your memory well— and omit nota single word that he uttered. You know not how im- portant it is to my interests that I should sift to the very bottom all‘the particulars of Lord Mont- gomery’s visit to this place.” “J am indebted to your ladyship for too much kindness not to be anxious to seck every opportu- nity of showing my gratitude,” observed Mr. Roberts: “but even if it were not so, as a matter of justice I should give your ladyship all the informarion in my power, inasmuch as I consider your ladyship to be the vietim of a gross con- Spiracy to deprive you of your estates. Such is the prevalent feeling im this part of Warwick- shire——” _ “The prevalent feeling—but not the wniversal " one, I suppose?” said the Marchioness, inquir- ingly. “Well, my lady,” responded the clergyman, “I must confess that there are a few individuals in the village and the surrounding parts who espouse the interests of the Mon : but I suppose they have been well paid for their allegiance in this respect—otherwise they would not be so staunch and so bold in asserting their conviction that your ladyship must lose the law-suit.” “Who are the persons you are referring to?” inquired Lady Beilenden: “and what kisd of characters do they bear?” “Characters, indeed!” exclaimed the parson: then, in a more serious tone, he added, “ It ill be- comes a Christian minister to speak harshly of people behind their backs—or under any circum- stinces whatsoever: but I cannot conscientiously declare that the individuals to whom I allude are trustworthy, honest, or respectable. In fact, the landiord and the landlady of the Bellenden Arms will corroborate my assertions—* “But who are those individuals?” demanded the Marchioness, impatiently: and as she spoke she drew torth a set of ivory tablets from her reticule, a THE MYSTERIES. “In the first place, my lady,” responded Mr. Roberts, “there is Chapman the stonemagson——" “ And he doubtless was employed by Earl Mont. gomery’s agents to open the vault of the Bellenden family 2” said the Marchioneas, inquiringly, as she wrote down the man’s name in her tablets. ‘ Precisely so,” returned the clergyman. “The sexton Mr. Northwitch, who is likewise a stone- mason, was much surprised and vexed that Chap- man, who is altogether unconnected with the church, should have had the job. However, such were the Earl's instructions to his agents; and as the vault was opened and examined under an order of the Court of Chancery, upon an affidavit put iu by the Earl, there was no use in Northwitch’s making any objection. Chapman accordingly did it for the Earl's agents.” @And now continue your list of the suspicious charaeters who speak against me and are wedded to the interests of the Montgomerys,” said the Marchioness. “YT have mentioned Chapman,” resumed Mr. Roberts: “and the next in the catalogue are the Austins—an old couple who live in a cottage about two miles off, on the road to Malden Farm. They are nasty peop'e, I can your ladyship; and although they apparently live very retired and seem to keep themselves quiet, yet they are known to be anything but saints. The man Austin has a sister—a widow—who lives in a cottage near Congicton, and of whom report likewise speaks disparagingty. Her name is Bushman. She isa very old woman, but of astonishing activity and bustling habits——” “But Congleton is fifty miles away,” interrupted the Marchioness. “ How, then, can this Widow Bushman’s character and attributes be so well known in the village of Bellenden ?” “ Because she was a resident here, my lady, onti! within the last year or eighteen months,” answered Mr. Roberts; “and she was one of the most st:anch of Earl Montgomery’s partizans.” « Any other names to particularise?” asked the noble lady. “None,” was the reply. “ Chapman, the Aus- tins, and Widow Bushman are the principal. But, by the way, I recollect that I have not informed your ladyship of what Lord Montgomery said to me upon the occasion of his visit to this piace three months ago.” “Speak slow.y, Mr. Roberts,” observed the Marchioness; “as I shall write it alldown. Now— proveed.” “ His lordship called upon me at the rectory just be‘ore he [eft the village,” continued the clergyman,— “and, after the usual interchange of compli:nents, he said, ‘ Mr. Roberts, I have gleaned some very curious particulars concerning the deceased members of the Bellenden family, and which particulars are most important to my interests in the suit that Iam ear- rying on against the Marchioness.’ — | thereupon begged his lordship not to inake we his confidant, as 1 was bound by gratitude to support the caure and defend the interests of the noble lady who gave me the presentation of the Bellenden rectory.—‘ I am aware of your devotion in that quarter, Mr. Roberts’ said Ear] Montgomery ; ‘and so fur from being angry with you, I honour you for it. Indeed I have cailed upon you from motives of respect and courtesy, and to inform you that in consequence of ElOOO® SS