The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 204: what you’re looking at

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

[an 197 Why he gare this address he scarcely knew: but it seemed to him that he was ina state of hor- rible uncertainty which must be cleared up. He had better know the worst at once; and if any such shocking intention as thet at which Musters had hinted, were entertained eoncerning him, he would rather be informed of it than continue in a fright- fal suspense. It did not occur. to him that sup- posing such an aim was really in view, those who purposed it would keep their own counsel until the moment of its execution. In: short, he had no power nor faculty for deliberate meditation; and from this half-stupified condition of mind he was scarcely aroused somewhat, when the hackney- coach stopped st the layyaps' ofice in Parliament Street. Atighting from the vehiale, Lard Saxondale was seised with another fit of hesitation ; and for a few moments he was almost imetined to depart without seeking an interview with Marlow and Malton. He would probably have done so, had he not suddenly recollected that his wife had asked him for ; and as he had none to give her, he felt afraid to return into her presence without being able to gratify her request. He therefore as- cended the stairs; and entering the clerks’ office, inquired if either of their employers was within ? He was informed that Mr. Marlow was in his private room—bdut that he had two gentlemen with him: whereupon Edmund said he would wait. One of the clerks took in his name; and returned, saying, “ Mr. Marlow is not particularly engaged, my lord: he has only got two friends with him ; and he hopes your lordship will walk in without ceremorry. Edmund was suddenly cheered by this invita- tion: it looked as if the lawyer-guardian was in- clined to be more civil than the diplomatic one ;— and again assuming an off-hand manner, and mus- tering up all his Lord Sexondale passed into the private office. There he found Marlow seated, with or nssnequainted.” O whom Edmund was altogether man, with gray hair—dressed in deep black—and having a very serious look. The other was some years younger—handsome, and apparently good- humoured—gzaily a with a massive watch-chain festooning over a bright-hued waist- coat. Marlow introduced Lord Saxondale to these gentlemen—but did not mention their names in veturn. This however Edmund considered to be an oversight; and thinking nothing more of it, took a seat. “Weill, my lord,” said Marlow, emiling archly, ‘an have not paid besause I thought I was not wanted.” “And why did you think that?” inquired Ed- mund, still more cheered than at first by the jovial kind of goed-naturedly bantering tone which the solicitor why do I think so?” ejaculated Marlow : , beeause you did not condescend to consult me as the allianee—although you ought, you know, s0—strictiy to have done am your guardian. Meither did you sond me « plece of the see, it was all dome in gush ery” “Entre « cme »@ aes pwe oa. z One was an elderly | lady, “ S8o I understand,” interrupted Marlow. “Come, do tell us all about it: it will be so very amusing! These are friends of mine—very inti- mato friends—capital fellows too—and so you . needn’t mind speaking before them.” “Oh! not I,” ejaculated Edmund, perfectly re- joiced ut the manner in which his was treated by the attorney, and making sure that his pecuniary demands would be unhesitatingly eom- plied with. “Ofcourse you have heard that Lady Saxondale—the new Lady Saxondale, I mean—is a very beautiful woman !” “Oh! that is well known,” responded Marlow. “I think you never saw her before you met her that night at the Odeon Theatre ?” “ Never,” replied Edmund. “Ah! then see what an effect beauty has upon your lordship,” cried Marlow, rubbing his hands quite gleefully. “Why, the next yes, I do believe from what Petersfield told me, the very next morning—you carried off the prise —wasn't it soP Really your lordship is a perfect killer of ladies’ hearts. But tell use—was it not eo ” , “ Well, it was,” answered Edmund. “ But you see, she is so excecdingly beautiful—so fasci- “To be sure—to be sure,” observed Marlow. “And then you travelled straight off with her ladyship—brought the fair prise to London—and married her as quick as special liconse and parson’s aid could tie the knot. Am I not right ?”’ “Perfectly so,” rejoined Saxondale, who felt himself quite the hero of the scene, and fancied the exploit was altogether as groat and glorious as Marlow was depicting it. “Pray excuse me, my lord, for aeking a ques- tion,” said the elder of the two gentlemen, both of whom appeared much interested in the discourse : ‘but is not my friend Marlow exaggerating the facteP Was it really the case that at the very first meeting your heart was vanquished by the and her’s became enthralled to you? and that you bore off the prise with such wondrous celerity P” “It is all true — perfectly true,” responded Saxondale. “Marlow has exaggerated nothing.” “Well, it was a superb feat,” remarked the younger of the two gentlemen; “and your lord- ship has really much to be proud of. I suppose that your lordship did not condescend to any such low and proceedings as to inquire into “Oh, no—nothing of the sort!” replied ‘Sexon- dale: “it was all love—sheer love.” “And did her ladyship run away with you, my lord—or you with ladyship ?” inquired the “Oh! I ran away with her,” responded Saxon- dale, determined to monopolize all the honour and glory of the proceeding. “But I eay, Marlow,” he immediately added, t to the lawyer, ‘“‘ what the deuce is the matter with old Peters- field?- I called on him just now—and he was denied to me.” od the Why, my lord,” respond attorney, “ can't be surprised if Lord Petervfeld with ‘his exceedingly precise and rigid notions of etiquette, should be somewhat texed,—in the first place that - eer: @ GS aus qequrninies weg EE &: -_- (COL (C DOO CS (COL