The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 278: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERING OF THE COURT. “I can assure your Grace,” answered Mr. Cole- man, “‘ [ have recently made no inquiries relative to Medame Angelique. There wasa period when I certainly intended to prosecute her for keeping a house of infamy: but when she abandoned that iniquitous profession and retired to some suburb ef the metropolis” “T understand, Mr. Coleman!” ejaculated the Duke: “you were satisfied? the cetablishmént was broken up, and that was all which you re- quired? Then I must have been deceived: or rather Madame Angelique herself has been misled upon the point. But she certainly labours under the apprehension that you still have your eye upon her; and what is more, that you entertain the in- tention of renewing hostile proceedings. Now, between you and me, Mr. Coleman, if this be really the case, I should be very happy to do any: thing I can for Madame Angeliquo—not merely for old acquaintance’ sake——” | “My lord,” interrupted the attorney coolly, “pardon me for expressing my surprise at the circamstance of such phrases of sympathy and friendship dropping from your lips in reference to such s woman.” “I know vory well,” responded the Duke, draw- ing himeelf up haughtily for a moment, “that it may appear strange to any one who is exceedingly partioular. But,” he added, instantaneously un- bending and assuming an urbane demeanour once more ; “I hope yon will treat the matter as between men of the world. ‘You can very well understand that if any proceedings wero instituted against Madame Angelique, she thight possibly give pub- licity ¢o the names of some of her principal patrone; and as this would seriously affect the reputation of many individuals highly placed, I venture to express a hope that for their sake——” “One word is sufficient, my lord,” interrupted Mr. Coleman; “and I hesitate not to declare that the topic is franght with infinite disgust for me. I am at present taking no legal proceedings against Madame Angelique: bat let me tell your Grace, that if I were doing so, the chanee of in- volving all the titled names in the kingdom would have no weight with me!” “ Setting aside the species of reproof conveyed in your words,” said Marchmont for an instant biting his lip, “and which may be more consistent with morality than courtesy, I thank you for the assurance you have given me. I wish you good afternoon, Mr. Coleman:”—and the Duke was walking towards the door, when, as if suddenly struck by a recoliection, he ejaculated, “Ah! by the bye, what about Armytage? I know him well: he is a worthy man—but foolishly specula- tive ; and he has always got his brain full of ideas pout making a fortune. I hope that his af- rg——..”” * My lord,” mterrupted Coleman, with a glacial reserve, “I never speak to one person unneces- saniiy of the affairs of another———” Again the Duke of Marchmont bit his lip: he hesitated, and lingered as if about to say some- thing more: but thinking better of it, he bowed with a haughty coldness and quitted the room. The opposite door on the landing was half open ; and Armytage, appearing upon the threshold, said in an agitated manner, “ My lord, one word with you, if you please Pp” 267 It wae precisely this meeting which Mr. Cole man was anxious to prevent; and he had aceord- ingly followed the Duke forth upen the landing. He heard that hastily expressed desire on the part of Armytage; and he stopped short, uncertain how to act. “Kh? a word with me?” exclaimed the Duke, affecting an easy, off-hand, indifferent manner, a8 he pereeivod thet Mr. Coleman was immediately behind him. ‘‘ Where ean we converse ?” “I have no doubt,” replied Armytage, “ that Mr. Ooleman will permit us the use of this room for a few instants " c “ Certainly,” said the lawyer: for he felt that it would be most churlish—as it indeed would have been, to all outward appearance—for him to refuse so simple a réquest. He accordingly bowed, and returned to his own private office: while the Duke of Marchmont en- tered that room on the threshold of which Mn Armytage had made his appearatce. « What is tho matter, Travers-—~—Armytage, I mean P”” demanded the Duke, closing the door after him. “You look psle—agitated—ill: something has excited you terribly! But I suppose I can guees what it is? All those grand schemes of your's, of which you spoke to mie, and in which so much of the money I lent you has been looked u OD 5 ‘ “ My lord, listen!” interrupted Armytage: “fot it ie indeed moat serious !” “This ia what I feared,” said the Duke, with an air of such bitter veration that it almost amounted to anguish. “ You are again pressed for money: bet I hope, in heavén’s name, you do not expect any more at my hands !—for what with an extra- vagant mistress, and such drains as you have lately made upon my purse, Travers, it would ruin the greatest fortune !” These last words were not exactly uttered with an intention of being overheard by Armytage ; but were rather spoken in a musing manner to the Duke’s ownself—while he took rapid and short walks to and fro in the room. Nevertheless, Zoe's father did hear thoée words: but he seemed to take little heed of them. ‘My lord,” he resumed, “it is indeed most serious—and I beseech you to listen tome! Do not interrupt — every instant of delay is only fraught with additional anguish towards myself, and with additional suspense for your Grace; be- cause what I have to say, regards your lordship 28 much ag it does me.” “Travers!” ejaculated Marchmont, darting 4 peculiarly piercing look upon the speculator. “Three times has your lordship addressed me by that name within the last five minutes,” re- joined Armytage; “and let me tell you that it ie ominous! For besides ourselves, it would seem as if there is some one else beneath this roof whe knows that I once bore that name.” ‘And what of that?” asked the Duke quickly, but at the samo time with an expression of fear in his looks which was in contradiction with the seoming hardihood of his words. “There are seve- ral persons in the world who know that you once bore that name. But there is no harm ae “Ah, my lord! why do you not listen?” ex- claimed Armytage impatiently. “You yourself seo that there ée some harm pending: and yet do GOMNMUC MOO KS a GOL