The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 153: what you’re looking at

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

—_—_— ES" eS - - ld . THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. rather skilfal in forming opiniong gs persons at « first glance——™ ' “You need not be afraid, M. Bertin,” inter- rupted Redcliffe, “that I shall go elsewhere to babble of whatsoever I may see at Madame An- gelique's.” | “To be sure not, sir! You and I know what the world is,” rejoined the tailor, with a signifi- cant look; “and @ gentleman of your travel and experience is well aware that such establishments as these, are of the greatest convenience.” | “ The greatest convenience, indeed, I have not the slightest doubt!” exclaimed Redcliffe, some- what drily. “Have the goodness, sir, to follow me,” said M. Bertin: and he forthwith conducted his new patron up the well carpeted staircase, to that room on the second storey where Annette was ‘always in attendance at certain bours for the re- ception of visitors. This woman opened the m contrived door, and tap which was speedily unfolded; and Clement Red- cliffe passed on into the luxuriously furnished saloon to which the reader has introduced. The four young ladies were not ous mirror- ' however there at the moment: it was Madame Angelique who gave bim admittance: and an introduction was effocted by the obsequious tailor. who immediately afterwards withdrew. But while passing by the milliner, he hurriedly whispered, ‘A phree with a hundred guineas as my fee! Make much of him !” - Madame Angelique closed the myaterivus door, having thus received an intimation of Redcliffe's liberality towards her accomplice the tailor, as well as a hint to the effect that she might, by playing her own cards well, feather her nest to. her heart’s content. “ Have the kindness to follow me, sir,” she eald, with her most amiable and winning smile, as sho opened the door of the apartment. Redcliffe, pnrposely assuming as much bland- neas of manner as he could possibly call to his aid, accompanicd Madame Angelique to her own boudoir, to which she led him. She begged him to be seated ; and taking a chair near, she began expressing her sense of the honoar which. she experienced in receiving a patron of whom her friend M. Bertin bad spoken so highly. She went on to intimate that as gold evidently was no object to Mr. Redcliffe she could introduce him to some of the most beautifal creatures in the metropolis—-not merely those who were dwelling beneath her own roof, but others with whom she was acquainted and to whom she had access “My friend M. Bertin has hinted to me this evening previous to your arrival, gir,” she continued, “that you have been along time in India. I know not exactly how your taste may be: but I think that I might y in- troduce you to certain paragons of beauty from that aame oriental clime——” 4“ Tndeed !” observed Redcliffe, who was deter- mined to glean as much ag he possibly could from Madame Angelique. “I should be delighted— and yon have been rightly mnformed that money ‘4s ho object to me. But who are these paragons of beatty of whom you speak ?” “Oh! ft will be no casy matter to accomplish at the one inside,— | ready been | that business,” reponded the mflliner. “As yet 4 ecarcely any steps have been taken; but ff I make up my mind toa cular enterprise, I sef- dom fafl in _ocomplishing ft “You must know, sir,” continued the Infamous woman, “ that my noble and generous patrons make it worth my while to furnish all possible rarities and varieties of female charms; and amougst these patrons I hope to inclade Mr. Redcliffe.” “Most assuredly,” was this gentloman’s re- sponse. “ Now, I age, my‘dear madam, that be- tween you and me there need not exist any dis- glee = weallby—and i ain addicted to eqsure. care not how: a price I pay for it. Yon und ad ma? “I do, Mr. Redcliffe,” replied Madame An- geliqne; “and I thank you for epeaking so frankly. It is always besten.” “ And those oriental béautias ?” “ As yet I know nothing more of them than that they ae beauies,” coritinudd the miliner One is comparativcty faly, of ravishing loveli-~ ness: the other is of dusKy complexion, and as handsome in countenance aid as finely modeliad in form ag poet ever Imagined.® oT, “ Indeod !" gafd Redcliffe. ‘4 And where do they live, these orlental honrie of youre e “ Ah, my dear air,” excldined Madame Auge- liqne, tapping Redcliffe famfifarly on the arm, “I cannot exactly tell yon all my WtQe secrets. Bat you who bave beoh in India, wilt doubtless appreciate these rarities.;. and you will not mitd ® iberat outlay if I introddce you frst to one, and afterwatds to the other——Of courm I mean beneath this ropf. Doubtless the task will bea difficult one: there will be sttatigem, mechine- tion, inveigfing, and eo forth: bat once here—— you understand me—for ‘thelr own credit's sake, they will not wfiterwards speak of what has occurred.” : “ Am I to understand that they live together f” © fuqnired Redcliffe ; % because ‘go, the task whl “Bo afl the hore Gffiicult,® Madame Ange- figque hastened to exclafm,—proposing td exact a price commensurate with the amonnt of obstacip, reat or imaginary, which she might evdntually be enabled to boast of having overcome. . * ° Yos—they live ‘together: ‘the ‘fairer'of the two is the mistress—the darker one fs the at- tendant; and it is in a suburb of London that they reside. But more than this you must reeily not expect to know for the pregent,” added Ms- dame Angelique, with a smile. “Ob, I will not attempt to penetrate into your secrets, wy dear madam,” exclaimed Red- cliffe. “ By all meane let mre be considered as the one who is to be fortunate-enongh——-™ “ Tt is a bargain, sir,” interrupted the mifliiner; “ and shall be fulfilted.” “But,” continced Redcliffe,' “in whatever steps you mey take with regard to these qriente) paragons, remember that my name-——” ' “Good beavens, my dear sir, not for the world!” cried Madame Angelique. “I am discretion personified! Your name shall not be mentioned. I cannct promise that suc- cess will be speedfiy accomplished. As yet I have learned but little more than the fact of these charming creatures’ existence fn London. Yes —I heve satisfied myself ad ~ ov~we WA ae =- =.e @ oe -w —_ -- —_- --e eo Gf =P @& ~~ ——— a a = CO IMULUG CY DOO CS (COL