The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 87: what you’re looking at

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72 TRE MYSTERIES. kind: for I was with him this morning for a couple of hours, and we were conversing in a most familiar atrain upon many topics of a private nature.” “No—he at present entertains not thé slightest idea of the storm which is brewing,” observed Rig- den: “ and I must beg your lordship, as a particular favour, not to mention a word upon the subject until he shall first broach it to you. For it wasina pure friendly spirit that I put such a question to you ‘ust now; and I repeat, that my advice will be to the effect of a private compromise instead of an appeal to the Law Courts.” “ Would it be indiscreet to ask whois the claimant and what is the nature of his claims against Lord Florimel?” said Montgomery. “I pledge you my honour that not a syllable of anything you may communicate shall pass my lips——” “My lord, I cannot mention the name of the claimant,” said the lawyer, “ because the matter is as yet entirely in its infancy. But this much I have no objection to state, that the claims advanced are of the most sweeping and extensive nature—not oaly striking at the possessions of Lord Florimel, but even at his very right to the peerage itself.” “ Good heavens!” exclaimed Montgomery: “ you astonish me! And yet it was but this very morning that Lord Florimel happened to mention to me in the course of conversation that he was in possession of all the deeds and documents regarding his estates.” “ Ah! he told your lordship éhaf—did he?” said Mr. Rigden, taking a pinch of snuff “Then all I can now add is that the piece of information you ave just given me has quite set at rest one portion of the matter of which 1 have been speaking: for the claims of the young man to the Florimel estates are founded upon a belief that no rezular deeds con- ferring a title upon the present holder are in exist- ence,” “ Then I am glad you have mentioned the affair to me, my dear Rigden,” exclaimed Montgomery : “for I can assure you that Florimel not only pos- sesses hia deeds and parchments, but has even told me where he keeps them.” . “In that case, as I said before, one part of the business is set at rest,” observed the lawyer. “The only claim now remaining regards the peerage—and that point cannot be worth disputing, inasmuch as a mere empty title would be a burthen instead of an honour to a penniless man. So, after all, I think that Lord Florimel is quite safe—and I return your Jord- ship many thanks for theinformation you have given me. Good evening, my lord.” “Will you not step up stairs to the drawing- room and inform my mother of the notice vou have received from the Chancery Court? inquired Montgomery. “The Countess is all alone this evening ——” “I will do myself the honour of waiting upon her,” said Rigden ;—and, with a ceremonious bow, he quitted the apartment. At tho samc moment that the door closed behind him, the remembrance that the black page was in the adjoining room flashed to the brain of Lord Montgomery, who had altogether forgotten the circumstance during the interview with the lawyer. “ Perdition ” muttered the nobleman to hitself, as he recollected the eaves-dropping propensities of the sable page: but he was almost instanta- neously rearsured by the thought that nothing ha: passed with .he lawyer touching his own family 3 Eee affairs that he could eare about the boy overhear. ing, whiie all that had been said respecting Lord Florimel was of very inferior importance. Throwing open the door of commanication be- tween the two apartments, the nobleman was about to call Rao by name, when he caught sight of the boy reclining in a large arm-chair and apparently wrapped in the profoundest repose. Montgomery advanced into the inner room, where a light was also burning as weil as ia the other; and the door, escaping from his hand, closed with some degree of violence. Rao started up—rubbed his and in a few moments seemed to recollect where he was. “I humbly beg your lordship’s pardon,” he said, “for haying so far forgotten myself as to fall asleep. But is it late?” he demanded with a sudden anxiety. “A quarter to ten,” answered Montgomery, re- ferring to his watch. “That cursed lawyer came for a minute and stayed half-an- hour.” “And I will not detain your lordship one-tenth of that time,” said Rao. “To sum up, therefore, all I have said or was about to say, I will at once observe that as your lordship intends to go to the masquerade to-morrow night, you will do well: to accept the loan of a domino which I will leave with your lordship’s valet ia the course of the day.” “Ah! I understand you fall well, Rao,” ex- claimed the Eari: “your master’s commands have been disobeyed—and you have not destroyed the blue domino.” The black page amiled with an arch significancy —bat made no reply. “And yet,” observed Montgomery, “1 cannot conceive wherefore you should have shown so mach anxiety not only to fathom my desires, bat also to gratify them ?” “Simply because Iam fond of amusing myself in a particular manner,” said Rao: “and the sort of amazement which I like is what you English people call mischief.” “Yes—I have heard that East Indians are aps to be as mischievous as monkeys,” observed the nobleman, laughing: “and now I have received a proof of it. Weil, my good boy, I accept your offer—and I will wear the domino. But of course this isa secret between you and me.” “TI am not likely to reveal it,” said Rao, laconi- cally. “And I pledge you my word that I will not,” returned the nobleman: then, after a few moments’ hesitation, he said, “ Bat tell me how I can re- ward you for this service which you are rendering me—for I scarcely know by what means to testify my sense of your kindness.” “I require nothing at present, my lord,” an- swered Kao. “Should I ever need a boon at your hands, I shall come and ask it.” “And most cheerfully shall I grant your re- quest, if it be in my power to do so,” snid the Ear). The black page bowed a slight but graceful ac- knowledgment of the pledge thas given, aud then took his departure—giiding away from the nobie- man’s presence like a shadow “There is somethinz incomprehensibly myste- rious about that boy |” said Lord Montgomery to himself, as he returned to his seat in the frou room. ANICLOO© (C qe SS