The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYETRRIES OF THB COURT. 47 Squire sprang from his horse—rushed into the cot- tage—and seizing the youth by the hand, ex- elaimed, “Now that you are on my territory, I take you prisoner. You have lust your way—you have been wandering abont—you want a convey- ance to take you back to Gainsborough—and you shall have one from the Halli: bat only on condi- tion that you come and dine with me first. My house is barely two miles distant; and if you are #g0 much fatigued to go so far, I will scamper home and send down a gig to fetch you. Come, give your assent at once: for I shall take no refusal.” “Indeed, Mr. Hawkshaw,” responded Frank, “I know not how to decline courtesy without seeming positively rude and churlish. But the fact is, my servant is at Gainsborough: he will be very uneasy-——” “Your servant P”— and the Squire could not avoid the ejaculation: for it certainly struck him as most singular that this shabbily dressed youth, of paverty- stricken appearance, should be attended by a valet. * Well,” Hawkshaw immediately continued, fearful that he himeelf had been guilty of a rudeness, “tho moment we get to the Hall, one of my men shall take a chaise-cart across to Gainsborough and fetch your servant.” At this moment the sounds of a vehicle coming along the lane were heard; and a gig, in which a atout jolly-looking man was seated, came in sight. “This is most opportune !” ejaculated Hawkshaw, leoking through the cottage-window. ‘“ Here's Farmer Sladden—a capital tenant of mine, by the bye—and he will drive you on to the Hall. It won't be a quarter of a mile out of his way.” Frank could no longer refuse. He was too tired to think of walking any farther; and he had more- over conceived a friendship for the kind, frank- hearted Hawkshaw. He was likewise dispirited enough to feel that the-companionship of such a host would be far from disagreeable; and he there- fore accepted the proposed arrangement, with due acknowledgments of gratitude. “You have nothing to thank me for, my young friend,” said the Squire. “I owe you a great obii- gation :"—-then rushing forth from the cottage, he beckoned Farmer Siadden to stop. The gig drew up accordingly. Frank entered it: Mr. Hawkshaw requested Mr. Sladden to drive the young gentleman as faras the Hall; and remounting his horse, which the peasant had meanwhile been holding, he rode on a little in advance. Ina short time a large and imposing-looking mansion, in the Elizabethan style of architecture, gradually stood forth from amidst the stately trees of an immense ‘perk; and Farmer Siadden informed his young com- panioon that it was the Hall. He added that far as ‘the eye could aweep all around, did Mr. Hawkshaw’s domain extend. In a few minutes the porter’s ‘lodge at the entrance of the park was reached—the gates flew open—and the gig followed Mr. Hawk- shaw up «© gradual ascent of gravel road to the entrance of the Hall. There Frank alighted, thankx. ing Mr. Sladden fur his courtesy; and the worthy farmer drove away. “Now, my young friend,” said the Squire, when he had conducted his guest into a spacious, lofty, and hanusomely furnished apartment; “ tell meat once where your servant is to be found in Gainsborodgh; and one of my grooms shall go over and fetch him without delay. We will then have dinner: for I dare say you are hungry—and my appetite is marvellously keen. I am uncommon glad I was detained so long at Gai h, since it has afforded me this unexpected pleasure of meet- ing a second time with you.” Frank mentioned the hotel at Gains where the servant would be found: and pulling ont a well-filled purse, he begged that Mr. Hawkshaw’s groom would become the bearer of the requisite funds to settle the account at that hostelry. While in the gig, Frank had fastened his handsome watch- chain in the usual manner to one of the button-holes of his waistooat; and the sight of this appendage, together with the production of the amply furnished purse, made the Squire wonder more and more what possible mystery there could be about his new friend, and why with such adequate means his ap- parel should be so wretchedly mcan and shabby. The youth was however atill too much abstracted to reflect that theese circumstances must indeed appear strange to his host; and therefore he thought not of volunteering any explanation. Ofcourse the Squire spoke not a word calculated to show that he sought one. ' The groom was despatched to Gainsborough; and immediately afterward8 dinner was served up. Tho repast was alike substantial and excollent: there were no other guests; but until the dessert was placed on the table, a couple of footmen, in hand- some though somewhat old-fashioned liveries, re- mained in attendance. The discourse, therefore, which passed between Mr. Hawkshaw and young Paton, was only upon indifferent and every-day subjecte. But when the cloth was removed, and the board was covered with fruits and wines, the domestica withdrew; and then Frank, who in the meanwhile had found leisure for reflection as to the singularity of his position, thought that it was time to give a few words of explanation. } “Mr. Hawkshaw,” he said, “in the first place I must renew my thanks for this generous hospitality on your part-———” “Not ea syllable, Mr. Paten!” interrupted the Squire. “I have already told you that I consider myself your debtor. Thank heaven, the hurt I re- ceived has proved much more trivial than might have at first been anticipated.” *T am rejoiced to receive this assurance,” answered Frank. “ But I was on the point of observing that you must doubtless consider it strange to have be- held me wandering about in euch a manner; and also,” he added with a mournfal look, “that I should be 80 poorly apparelled, although posesesed of the amplest means.” “T don’t seek to penetrate into your affairs, my young friend,” observed the Squire; “and if you consider i¢ necessary to give me proofs of yeur re- spectability, I can tell you at once I don’t want them. Your speech—your air—your manners, are those of a young gentleman: but even if you were not, i¢ would be all the same—for I am not merely under an obligation to you, but I have likewise con- ceived a great interest on your behalf.” ‘For this reason, therefore, Mr. Hawkshaw,” re- sponded Frank, “and in return for that generous assurance, I consider it my duty to tell you some- thing respecting myself. Nay, permit me to do so. There is perhaps some little rumance in the tale COLL (C DOO CS (GO)