The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 149: what you’re looking at

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146 your charming sister. Next Tnheasday night at nine o'clock you wfil take a cab and repair to a pertievlar address, which is written on this card,” —at the same time presenting one. “ You will merely knook at the door and send in your own name. A large box will be given to you, of which you must take particular care. It cantains things which I design as presents; and the truth is I wish to aurprise those for whom the gifts are destined :——-hence this little degree of mystery which I am a eee oe the point You will leave Lowdion wdon by the 0 Bit eoach ca Wednesday morning; and you will bring the box emongst your own luggage. Put upon it a card with your own name; and whey you arrive at Oaklands, let it be taken up, together with your other botes, to the chamber which will be allotted to you there. Do you waderstand 2” “ Perfectly, my lord.” responded Ohristian. “ And you will ese the necessity of keeping the matter prefoundly secret,” rejoined the Duke: “ because, as I tell you, I mean to divert myself a little with the distribution of the presents which the box contains. I know that I can rely on your discretion and fidelity. Mr. Calvert will provida you with the requisite funds for your travelling expenses ; and you must be sure to arrive at Osk- lands in the course of next Wednesday.” Christian bowed, and quitted the library. Sel- lying forth, he proceeded at once to Mortimer Street, Oavendivh Square, and communicated to Mr. Redcliffe everything that had just taken place between himself and the Duke. The address of the house at which be was to call, was Madame Angelique’s; and Obristian having purposely passed it by in his walk ep to Mrs. Macaulay's, was enabled to report that it was a milliner's eatablishment. Neither Redeliffe nor himeelf for a moment believed that Marchmont's explanation of certain intended gifts, was otherwise than a pretext for some ulterior design: but what this design might be, young Ashton could not for the life of him conjestare—while Mr. Redcliffe volun- teered no surmise. “ You must perform exactly, my young friend,” he said, “the mission that is entrusted to you: but uporm obtsining possession of the box, come direct hither to me before you take it to March- most House. I may then tell you how we will act. Besides, it is necessary that I should see you again ere your departure for Oaklands.” Christian promised to fulfil Mr. Redoliffe's in- atrectione ; and took his leave of this gentleman. Hestepped into Mrs. Macaulay's pariour to shake hands with the widow,—who bade him be sure and hot forget to bring his sister to take a friendly coup of tea with her on the firstconvenient evening. He was about to when Mrs. Macaulay beckoned him beek, and in a tone of mysterious confidence, she said, “ By the bye, I remember I have got a little party on Saturday evening ; aad it's on rather a memorable occasion. The fact is, I and Mrs. Bifkin have not been on speaking terms with each other for the last ten years. Not that it was any fauit of mine, you know ; because I am quite incapable of giving offence even toa worm— much less a human being that walks upright on | two legs. It was all owing to jealousy on Mrs. Gifkin’s part. However she has made overtures through Mre. Dumpling—«a lady in the same street. She lete lodgings too, does Mrs. Dump- THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. ling ; and between yoa and me, wretched apert- ments they are! You wouldn't believe i, my dear Mr. Ashton,” added Mrs. Macaulay, in a voice of awfal mystery: “ never would believe it!-—but it is as true as I am a living woman |” “ What's true ?” asked Christiaan. § Bugs, my young friend—bags, I cam assure you !” replied Mre. Macauley. “ Nothing sheuld induce me to say sach a thing of a neighbour, if it wasn't the on were fleas only—but bugs———dreadifal ! “ Dreadful indeed!" muttered Christian, with a sensation as if something disagreeable ware creep- be a stale tart or two, for supper w a little party. Still shetse a good w she went right across yesterday morning 1 to ‘Mrs. Bifkia, and tela her ber mind aboet her con- duct towards me. I dare aty that Mrs. D did come out rather strong, because I know that she had had a teelle drop of bmedy beforeband ——in fact, it was out of a bette that My. Redcliffe, poor dear soul! sent down from his room-——— However the long and short of it was that Mre. Sifkin confessed the errors of her ways; and Mrs. Dumpling proposed that ff Mrs. Sifkin would send me over an apolagy through her, I would give a party te clinch the reconciliation and celebrate the event. So I mean to do the thing nicely, and give s pretty spreed on Saturdey evening ; andif you end your deer sister will favour me with your company, I ghall be de- lighted.” “I cannot eay how my sieter may be engaged,” anewered Christian; “and I do net for a moment think that she will be enabled to accept your kind invitation. But as for myself, I aay ges with mush “ And you will be weloome,” said Mrs. Macae- lay. “Bet pray do bring your dear sister, i ahe can possibly manage to come.” Christian bede the women and hast- ened on to the Regent's Park to see Christias. He had not the least intention of tener rag in contact either with the amiable M peg or with Mrs. Dumpling who had bogs in her lodg- ings: but he had accepted the invitation for him- eelf, not. only because he fencied that he might be dall at Marchmont House while the family was away—baut also beocansehe had somelittic curicsity to see how the rival lodging-house keepers would get on together. It was sbout two in the afternoon of the fallow- ing day, that Mr. Redeliffo—epveloped in his cloek as usual, and with his hat more or jess sloucked over his countenance—wailked slowly down that fashionable streetin wixich the adjoiuing establiah- ments of Madame Angelique and M. Bertin were situated. Heving well surveyed the milliner’s premisee—or rather their ex terior, —Hedoliffe com- tinued his way; and if the thoughts which were passing in his mind, were reduced to worda, they ould bave takem some such shape a6 the follow- gi “ The establishment seems respestable enough : (COL (C DOO CS (COL