The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 152: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. hope long to see it there. Money in advance? ‘Oh, no, dir!—not for the world! Bills sent in every Christmas, air: those are my terms.” * You will pardon me for having offered you other terms,” aaid Mr. Redcliffe: “ but I am com- paratively a stranger in England. I have been many, many years abroad———in India,” he added, as if quite iu a careless manner ; although he both foresaw and intended what the effect should be. “ Oh, indeed !—in India, sir!” said M. Bertin, at once catching at the idea that his new oustomer must be a wealthy nabob.. “ Ah. sir. fortunes are rapidly made in India.” * Sometimes,” pbeerved Redcliffe, still with an air of assumed.ca exs—Dbut yet with a enff- cient degree of signi so in his own case. ; “ Not been long in London, therefore, I pre- = 2” gaid M. Bertin. “ No—only a few months,” was the response. “ Beg pardon, air—but married, I suppose ?” continued the tailor, who under a show of garru- lity, was always thas wont to fathom the affairs and circumstances of new customers so far as they themeelvea would allow him. “ Allrich gen- tlemen returning from Indis bring beautiful English wives with them ; or elge they find them at once on setting foot in their native land.” “ Neither happens to be my case, M. Bertin,” rejoined Redjiffe. “Indeed, [ am completely a Q@[aasees stranger——" tis “ Ah, sir, whata pity!” cried the tailor. “ Plenty of money, and don't know how to spend it? Beg your pardon, sir—it may seem a very great liberty —but I mean no offenge:”—~end then as Redcliffe | forced hig countenance to assume an air of intereat ertin was saying to him, the bustling in what tin Frenchman closed the parloar duor. _ “Pray speak candidly,” observed Redcliffe: * you need not be afraid of giving me offence, I know that you fashionable tailors at the West End do not always confine your avocations to the ,mere cutting and fitting of garments—but that you sometimes considerately and kindly help the inexperienced to initiate themselves into the mysteriog of London life. Are my ideas cotrect 7 orn Ar a,” % Nothing could possibly, be more socurate, sir,” responded Bertin. “ Yourname is now upon my books, where I -have the honour of chronicling "some of the first names of the British aristocracy. ' Qf course, sir, noblemen and gentlemen will be gay now and then: but the Taye a thousand and one reasons for con g their gaictics as much as possible.” | “ f understand you, M. Bartin,” answered Red- cliffe; “end to tell you the truth I am rejoiced that accident should have led me te enter your establishment. It was the handsome exterior . which drew my attention. Ah, by the way, there is an equally handsome establishment next door —TI happened casually to notice it———" “ Madame Angelique's, sir. An axcellent neigh- hour of mine ;"—and M. Bertin bent significant -look upon Redcliffe. “ Madame Angelique ?” said the latter, repeat- ing the name with the air of one who thought he bad heard jt before. “Surely that name is not altogether unfamiliar to me? Ab, I recollect! At an hotel where I was dining, I overheard two young gentlemen at a neighbouring table, mention noe to imply that if was 148 that name inf” subdued tone. It did not parti- cularly strike.me at the time———” ‘Very indiscreet of those two young gentle- men, whoever they were—very indiscreet indeed !” sald M. Bertin, with a look of annoyance: but instantaneously brightening up again, he added, “ Fortunately however their imprudent mention of that name was overheard by a gentleman of honour—a man of the world too—such as I per- ceive that you are, ”" “ Oh, I should not think of telling tales ont of school, whatever they may be,” exclaimed Red- cliffe. “ But frankly speaking, M. Bertin, I begin to beterribly wearied of the monotony of the exist- ence I am leading ; and ff, ae I think I under- stand, you have the power of giving me a few suggestions in respect to the means of pleasure- pursuit, I shall not merely be grateful, but shall know how to reward you.” The tailor gazed fixedly upon Reddliffe's coun- tenance for a few moments ; and satisfied with the survey, he ssid, “ At any time, sir, that you wish to be introduced into the most charming and agreeable ‘female society, pray favour me with a call. You know what I mean—female society of a certain class—but whose intellect and elegance of manners, as well as all drawing-room accomplish- ments are blended with the most ravishing per- sonal heauty.” “Not for a moment, M. Bertin, will I affect to misunderstand you,” answered Hedcliffe. “On the contrary, I do understand your meaning; and I shall avail myself of yonr offer. How will you be engaged this evening ?” “TJ shall be entirely at your orders, sir,” re- sponded the sailor, inwardly chuckling at the idea of having got hold of a wealthy nabob, who beneath a severe exterior, concealed the passions and inclinations of a licentious libertine. “At nine o'clock I will return to pay you a visit,” said Mr. Redcliffe. “ You will find mo here, air,” responded Bertin : “and then perhaps,” he added, with a significant smile, “you shall know something more of Madame Angelique—or at Teast of the paradise of houris which {se as mysteriotsly concealed within her establishment, as the happy valley of Rasselas was hidden in the midst of moan- tains.” Redcliffe smiled—nodded in a friendly way to the tailor—and took his departure. _eeia OHAPTER XXVIIL EVELEEN. Preoise.y at nine o’clock Mr. Redoliffe returned to the tailors establishment, and found M. Bertin expecting him. The little Frenchman bowed and scraped in his very best style, when Red- cliffe thrust a well filled purse in his hand; and the recipient thought within himself ‘that he was deatined to turn a pretty penny by the wealthy Indian nabob. “J will not insult you, sir,” he said, as he con- ductad Redcliffe into his parlour, “ by observing that tho strictest honour and secrecy are required in respect to those mysteries into which you are about to be initiated. I flatter myself that I am OAS SS a Sn (COL (C DOO CS (COL