The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 151: what you’re looking at

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142 of which the milliner’s and the taflér’s eatablish- ments might be rendered available? Redcliffe was shrewd and intelligent: his experience of the world was too large not to enable him to draw rapid inferences from certain ¢ircum- stances; and the question which he had just asked himself in respect to the lovers’ assigna- tion, became a conviction in his mind. He de- ecended from the terrace, and passed slowly along the arcade lined with those shops where the choicest fruits of English gardens and hothouses, as well as of tropical produce, are so profusely displayed. Ina few minutes the lady whom he had seen in the conservatory, passed him by. He at once recognised her by her drese: be glanced at her countenance, and saw that though calm to the superficial observer, yet that it was an assumed and unnatural serenity which to the experienced eye veiled not the agitation that lay beneath. A tall footman in a superb livery, and carrying a gold-headed cane, was lounging in the areade: but the instant he beheld the beautiful lady approaching, he accosted her with a respect- ful galutation. “ Has the fruit been sent to the carriage ?" she inquired : and Redcliffe, who heard what passed, perceived that there was s clouded tremulousness in her low soft musical voice. “Yes, my lady,” was the response given by the lacquey. “Are there any flowers which your ladyship has ordered ?” “None to-day,” was her rejoinder. “I saw not any that pleased my fancy.” No wonder that this titled lady should have for- gotten, or else have neglected, her originally pro- posed purchase of nature's floral beauties: for a eweeter and more delicious flower—love, which is the rose of the soul—had absorbed all her thonghte and engrossed all her time upon the terrace above! She eontinued her way through the market, the footman following at a sbort distance; and when near the end of thearcade, she wassuddenly joined by an individual whose almost revolting ugliness formed a perfectly hideuus contrast with her own bright and fascinating beauty. He was a man of at least sixty, with large prominent features—d disagreeable and repulsive look; and #0 totally different from the fair oreature who had become the object of Redcliffe’s interest, that it was im- possible even to believe that he was her father, though more than old enough to claim that title— and very nigh sufficiently so to be her grandfather. His figure was ungainly, and had scarcely the ad- vantages of dress to improve it: for though bis raiment wasall of the best materials, it neverthe- less fitted as if thrown an with a pitchfork: His coat was large and loose — his pantaloons narrow, short, andscanty : and he wore gaiters, which were put on in a slovenly manner. But on the other hand, it was evident that he was very particular and nice with his lavish display of snowy shirt- irill. Such was the individual who joined the Jady near the extremity of the arcade which fronts St. Paul’s Church “T hope I have not kept you waiting,” she gaid, as she took his proffered arm. ‘*No—certainly not, my angel,” he answered, endeavouring to torture his looks and his voice into the tenderest expression of which they were susceptible, —thoee luoks which were so repulsive h- | and that voice which was Bo harsh and discordant. « I have been tarning overall the booksin Willis'’s shop for the last half-hour, without finding what I wanted. Indeed, I was fearful, my swootest Emily, thet I should keep gow waiting. del your purchases sent to the. onv- “ All,” wae the response givén by the lady; and Redcliffe, who had followed the group, saw the ‘footman hurry on in.’ aliwance to give a brother-lacquey votive of the approavh of their master and mistress; 80 thatthe ‘door of the magnificent equipage was ready opened by the time they reached it. The uxorions old hueband—for in this light did he evidently stand towardsthat young ead bean tiful lady—handed her-in; and when the door closed upon them, hé give the word, “ Home!" The two footmen touched thelr hate, and sprang up behind, each with his gold-headed cane: the stout conchmat——who eesmed as if having oned got on to the box, be had grown to it and could never hope to get down aguin—just suffered the lash of his whip to towch the backs’ of the twe splendid bay' horses which were already pawing the ground, impatient af the delay ; and‘off deshed the superb equipage, perceiving ‘that en Earl's armorial bearings were blazoned on the panels. He continued his in deep thought, and returned to that fas 6 street in which the neighbouring ‘establishmeats of Madame An- gelique and M. Bertin was situated. By the time he reached that street, the dusk was closing in—for the reador will recolleet- that it is the mosth of January of which we sre writing ;— and both shops were now s biaze of gastight. it seemed as if Redoliffe's mind were already made up as to the course which he ehoeld pur- sue; for without the slightett hesitation, he ef once turned into the tatlor’s establishment... M. Bertin was behind the obunter: and he received Mr. Redctiffe's orders, which’ were for eoms new clothes. ‘‘ Have the goodness, sir," said the ebsequions Bertin, with his politest and seragings, “to walk this way :”—and he conducted bis new costomer into a well-furnished beck -paricur, where he wis wont to measure his'distingnished patrons. Redcliffe was exceedingly profuse in the ordess which he gave to M. Bertin; and as a matter of course, he said not a syllable on tlie sabject of price. His object was to make as favoumbie an impression as possible upon the tailor, ‘*What name and address, sir, shall I have the honour of entering im wy book?” asked M. Bertin, when he bad finished the mreasurement of his new customer: and he was ali smiles end bows—for the liberality of Redoliffe's order had won the admiration of the wend money~ loving Frenchman. Redoliffe gave the necessary particolars—end then added, “ Perhaps, as Iam a ¢otal stranger to you, you will alow me to leave a cheque upon my banker for whatsoever amount you ehoose te name ?” “Oh, it is by no means necessary, I can assure you, sir! i" res M. Bertin, with evntiaued sinilings and bowings. “I feel highly henodred, sir, in having your name upon my bucks—and ee ee ee THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. COMMUC DOO CS (COL