The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 198: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 187 witbout the slightest change in his tone, look, or manner—but with a sort of calmness, half business- like, half self-complacent,—“I have more than once begged you.not to allude to those circum- stences. Assuredly, if I had thought that the conversation would have taken this turn, I should not have spoken of that part of your brother’s note which hints at important business.” “But whenever my brother’s name is men- tioned,” answered Lady Anastatia, “Iam always reminded yes, necessarily so,” she continued with much feeling, “of your great goodness and his wildness—I may even ey his wickedness. Never, never can I forget it! And at the time when our parents would not see him—when he stood upon the very brink of ruin—when a frightful exposure threatened him—when the gulf was about to open at his feet,—you, Sir Frederick, came for- forward —not ostentatiously, but privately and secretly ” “Stop, Anastatial” said the great merchant : “this ie sufficient. Let us allude to the topic no more.” If a very acute observer had been present—one intimately acquainted with the ways of the world, and skilled in reading the mysteries of the haman heart—he would have been led to suspect, or indeed perbepe he would have plainly seon, that Sir Fre- derick Latham had suffered his wife to proceed to just that sufficient extent which ministered to his own vanity, and which reminded herself of the great lary obligetions under which her family laboured towards him; and that he had then stopped her jaet at the point where be might seom to have been listening hitherto for courtesy’s sake, but beyond which to listen any longer would be perbapse to excite a suspicion as to his real motives. He now gore the conversation a complete turn ; and shortly alterwards Lady Anastatia proceeded to hee dressing-room to perform her evening CHAPTER OXXL THE LORD AND THE MERCHANT. Sxoxrt1f after five o’cl.ck, a very elegant phaeton and pair dashed up to the entrance of Tudor Hoose. This equipage belonged to Viscount Rushbrook; and his lordship himself was driving i¢,—a groom in an elegant livery being seated by his side. The Viscoant was smoking a cigar; and his whole appearance wes of that dissipated, rakish, Gevil-may-ocare kind which denoted the ependthbri(t and the improvident one. He was five or six yeare older than his sister Anastatia: he was tall and well formed ; he had dark hair, an aristocratic profile, and good features: but as we have just hinted, the traces of dissipation were apon his countepanee. He was moreover thoroughly heart- bese and unprincipled: he would sacrifice a friend at any moment if it suited his interests, or if his pecuniary wants had to be supplied. He cared not for sister nor for parents: but yet he was an accomplished hypoerite—and at any time, to gain his own ends, could simulate the utmost fraternal love or filial affection. From his very boybuod he bad been reckless and extravagant: his proceedings # at college had helped to make considerable inroads upon the already dilapidated inoome of his father the Karl of Fordwich; and it was whispered that om more occasions than one had he since the attain- ment of his majority been compelled to leave the country for a time until his debts were settled. Such was Anastatia’s brother, Robert Viscount Rushbrook. When the equipage dashed up in grand etyle to the front of the mansion, the Vis- count tossed the reins to his groom on one side— and toseed the cigar from his mouth on the other: he then stood for a few moments to admire his splendid pair of horses, which were steaming on account of the pace at which he had driven them ; —and then he eauntered into the house. Proceed- ing to the drawing-room, he found Sir Froderick and Anastatia there; and as he had a favour to ask of the former, it was his policy to render himself as agreeable as possible. “‘ How are you, Sir Frederick?’ he exclaimed, proffering his hand, and bestowing a very warm shake therewith, althoogh there was nothing cor- dial nor fervid in the manner of his brother-in- law, bat merely as much gentlemanly courtesy as he would have bestowed upon any other guest. * You're looking uncommonly well! Aad you, *Statia dear—it is quite an age sinee I have seen youl”’—with which remark the Viscount just touched his sister's cheek with his lips. “Where have you been ail this time P’”’ inquired Lady Anastatia. | “ Heaven only knows,” responded the Viscount, carelessly : and throwing himself languidly upoa a seat, he said, “’Pon my soul, Sir Frederick, vou ere making your place look quite charming. Such taste ae you have displayed! Where the deuce you got it all, I can’t for the life of me conjecture —buried as you were for s0 many years ——” “In the midet of that honourable industry,” said Sir Frederick Latham, “ which has given me the wealth that [ now enjoy, and whic: also bad its interval of leisure for the acquirement and the caltivation of that taste which your lordship has jast been pleased to eulogize.” There was a certain admizture of pompomity, vanity, and self-complacency in this speech: but yet it was scarcely perceptible, with eo much calm composure was it delivered. It likewise cunveyed & reproof in an indirect manver—the phrase of * honest industry ” irresistibly uftking the im- pression of the contrast existing between the pur- suits of the great merchant and those of the young lord who hed so often been dependent on bis bounty. Anastatia felt that impression, though she did not for an instant imagine that her husband had deliberately intended to convey it. As for the Viscount himeelf, be either did not or chose not to comprehend the allasion ; and be said with a characteristic flippancy, “Ah! it’s a devilish lucky thing that some men can settle themselves to high stools and awful big books in a dark, dingy counting-house: but heng me, if ever I could have brought my miad to iti” At this moment the door was thrown open, and a domestic in a superb iivery announced that dinner was served up. Nothing occurred daring the repast which reqaires special mention: we will therefure suppose the cloth to have been removed —the dessert to be placed upon the table—Lady Anastatia to have retired to the drawing-ruom-- (CO G OOO SS} (CO