The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 126: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 117 Hyde, savoured of treachery, and there is positively “JT will make a speech that shall a rumour afioat—I must speak out plainly—that | gentleman. you have sold yourself to the Whigs.” “ Astonishing—quite astonishing, ‘pon my ho- nour!” ejaculated the honourable gentleman. “ Really, my lord, I am surprised that your Grace should give credit to such rumours.” “Take care that they do sof prove true, Mr. Remember the understanding on which Hyde. put matters all to rights, pon my honour !” “ And I, Mr. Hyde, shall send you in good time a few strong sentences which you will take care to deliver against the Ministry. When I have lei- aure [ will write down what I think you ought to say on the occasion 7 “Pray do so, my lord: I shall be delighted to It te as- vou were first brought in for Viviandale—the con- | profit by your Grace’s inspirations ! é.tions on which I paid your electioneering egpenses : tonishing how keen is your Grace's perception— —the terms on which for three Parliaments you how shrewd your Grace’s judgmont in respect to _ have represented my borough. By heaven, sir, if the leading topics of the day—astonishing, ’pon a : you deceive me, you shall be turned out next time; my honour!’ . aod I will put in my steward or my butler aye,, Hereupon Mr. Fenwick Finnikin Hyde rog or even one of my footmen, rather than stand tho from his seat : the Duke’s hand was now stretched chance of being turned round upon. Yousolemnly out to him—tbe honourable gentleman preseed it pledged yourself to stand by Church and State in | with every appearance of enthusiastic devotion— all things—to denounce the people generally as a , and ubsequiously bowed himself out. base ignorant mob—to hold up the working classes; ‘“ You will note down the heads of this conver- in particular as an unwashed rabble—to oppose | sation,” said the Duke of Marchmont to Christian, everything in the shape of progrees—to support | when the door had closed behind the Member for all aristocratic privileges—in ea word, to conduct Viviandalc. ‘I am now going out; and when you yourself as a staunch Tory in all questions where | have taken the notes I speak of, the remainder of there could be no doubt as to the course you were | the day is at your own disposal.” to pursue, while m all dubious matters you were|- With these words the Duke of Marchmont to vote precisely according to my dictation. Now, Mr. Hyde, during the last session you did not act up entirely to these pledges: but I then said no- thing on the subject. Your recent speech at Viviandale has however enhanced my misgivings; | of the earth, and that the House of Commons was and the rumours which are afloat almost seem to' composed of an independent set of men, honestly, confirm them. What am I to understand, sir? fairly, and impartially representing the whole quitted tho library, feaving Ohbristian in a state of no ordinary amazement at the scene which he had just witnessed. He had hitherto ‘fancied that Great Britain was the freest country on the face and what am I to expect P” people. He had now learnt a lesson to the con- “Understand, my lord, nothing against me. | trary; and he was astonished at the corruption of Expect, my lord, thet I shall serve your Grace in | the system which allowed the Duke of Murchmont all things. But the fact is,” continued Mr. Fen- | the control of those boroughs—enabling him to wick Finnikin Hyde, with a smile half blandly | bestow them upon his own creatures. Not less complacent and half emirking]y sycophantic, “a | was Christian surprised and disgusted at the abject man must now aod then make a show of indepen- ! servility with which one of those creatures had just dence——”’ “ Stuff and nonsense !”” excluimed the Duke in- “ The borough of Viviandale is my own dignantly. —as well as those of Rettentown and Mongerville ;sx and depend upon it I shall do as I like with my own. Independence indeed—it is ridiculous! The five seats which those boroughs havo in the Houge of Commons are mine; and I mean that abnegated all political independence, though faintly making a show to the contrary. When the young secretary had committed to papes the notes of the conversation at which he had been present, he issued forth to take a walk,—intending to qll upon Christina. He was proceeding through Hyde Park on his way towards Regent's Park, pundering on the the ocoupants of them shall do my bidding. What | character of the Duke of Marchmont—and in no will beoome of our blessed Constitution if the pro- | very comfortable mood reflecting on the scene of prietors of pocket-boroughs were to allow inde- | the preceding night,—when he beheld a tall gentle. pendence ? No such thing, sir! But the fact is' man approaching. He was enveloped in a cloak ; you have been coquetting with the Whigs—you and Christian immedfately knew him to be Mr. have been endeavouring to sell yourself—they Redcliffe. The youth was walking alowly in one would not buy you at your own price—and now dircction—LHedcliffe was advansing as slowly from you wish to get back into my favour. -' Pledge lthe other. The latter was evidently absorbed in yourself that henceforth you will fulfil your com- thought, as was the former. The air was chill : pacts—and I will pardon you.” ; is mgntle was closely wrappeafaround him—tbe “Your Grdce is really too hard upon me,” sald: collar reached high up, indeed almost to his chgek- Mr. Hydo, simpering and smiling, but unable to | bones—and his hat was drawn somewhnt over the prevent himself from looking foolish. “It isas- | upper part of his coyntenance. He did not at tonishing how false rumours do get about—aston- ishing, ’pon my honour! However, as your Grace proposes to stretoh forth the hand of friend- ship, pray suffer me to take it.” “ And at the opening of the Session,” observed Marchmont, “ you wil take the earliest oppor- tunity to make such a speech as shall neutralize the evil effect of the one you delivered the other first seo Christian, and was about to pass him: but the youth addressed Mr. Redcliffe in cuur- teously becoming terms. Ab, I did not perceive you,” said this gentle- man; “and fam giad you spoke :’—at the same time he profferod the youth his hand. “Itisa long. while since we last mét,”’ “It is nearly ten weeks, sir,” replied Christian, day to my voters at Viviandale ?” *T recollect,” observed Redcliffe. ‘It was when oe eoew= ~ooe @ a -ew - ™ @3abp Gees. = . Oe ee - - » -— a Bay o> a? -~s. Wan @ pe — | (COL (C DOO CS (COL