The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 252: what you’re looking at

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

ne THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “Ab, then,” said Indora, with a glitter of suspicion. for a moment appearing in her oyes, “you have called of your own accord P’” “I have taken that liberty, my lady,” replied Madame Angelique, assuming her blandest smile and her most coaxingly affable demeanour. “The truth is, I go my rounds amongst ladies of fashion, and wealth—and beauty,” she added, glancing with admiring significancy at Indora’s splendid countenance: “I display pieces of the newest and most exquisite materi ” “JT am obliged to you for including me amongst the number,” interrapted the Princess: “but I require nothing of the sort at present—nor indeed at all.’ Indora made a movement as if to indicate that the woman might withdraw: but Madame An. _ gelique was not to be eo easily disposed of. “Pray bear with me for a few minutes, gracious lady,” she said; “and I will show you eo rare and choice a material that Tam convinced your lady. ship will be ravished with it. I work for stme of the highest ladies in the land: for instance, the Marchioness of Trevelyan—the Oountess of Mor- dauut—the Countess of Lascelles—the Duchess of Marchmont ” “Ah, you work for the Duchess of March- mont P” said Indora. “Yes, my lady,” reeponded Madame Anpelique, inwardly delighted to think that she should thus have succeeded in enlisting the interest of tho Princess. “I have been with the Duchess this very day :”—it was however a monstrous falsehood which she uttered, inasmuch as Lavinia had not employed her since the discovery relative to the daplicate dresses: but if she had said she had seon the Duke that day, it would have been per- fectly correct. “ Aro the Duke and Dachees of Marchmont in London now P” inquired the Princess. ‘‘ Phey are at their mansion in Belgrave Square,” rejoined Madame Angelique. “T have heard of their. splendid seat of Oak- jands,” resumed Indora: “and should like much to see it.” “ Dear me, how extraordinary!” ejaculated Madame Angelique, with well-feigned astonish- ment. “I can easily become the means of gratify- ing your ladyship’s curiosity—and shall be proud and happy to do so.” “Indeed! How?” exclaimed the Princess, with visible interest depicted on her magnificent coun- tenance. “His Grace the Dake of Marchmont is accus- tomed to treat me quite in a familiar manner,” responded the wily Frertchwoman, who could scarcely conceal her mingled surprise and joy that matters should thus be taking s tarn which seémed 90 favourable to her own atrocious designs. “You see, my lady, IY have worked some years for the Duchess; and the Duke takes such pride in be- holding his wife well dressed, that he seems to fancy be can never sufficiently display his pratitude towards tho French artiste who furnishes her Grace's toilet :—and that artiste is your ladyship’s humble servant,” added Madame Angelique with a low curtsey. “JI understand,” observed Indora: “the Duke is kind to you—and if you ask him « favonr, would grant it P” 243 “Your ladyship has only anticipated what I was about to say,” rejoined the infamous woman. “ Ah, my lady! Oaklands isa most beautiful place. Such magnificent grounds—gardens so exquisitely laid out—superb aviaries, fountains, and statues— ponds with gold and silver fish—ornamental water, with stately swans floating on its surface—con- servatories of the choicest fruits and flowers,—it is a perfect paradise! And then, too, the interior of the mansion itself—its sumptuous apartments— the delicious views it commands—and its splendid picture-gallery,—I am sure, my lady, that with your exquisite taste, and with your love of the beautiful,” continued Madame Angelique, glancing around the drawing-room, “you would be de- lighted with a few days’ residence in that charming place.”” “ Your description has indeed excited my curio- sity,” obeerved Indora ; “and I should much like to pay a few hours’ visit to Oaklands.” “A few hours, my lady!” exclaimed Madame Angelique. “Iam confident that if I said but a single word—and you would so far honour me as to bid me say that word on your behalf—I could obtain permission for your ladyship to make Oak- lands your home for a week or a fortnight. The Duke and Duchess are not there; and you would be undisturbed mistress of the mansion.” “ But it would be a most extraordinary request to niake on the part of a perfect stranger,” said the Princess. “ Nothing extraordinary, when that stranger is an oriental lady of rank and fortune. Besides,” added Madame Angelique, “these things are fre- quently done in England ; so that the Duke and Duchess would be delighted to place their mansion at your ladyship’s disposal for a short period.” “Tam exceedingly indebted to you for this as- surance,” answered Indora : “and I am almost in- clined to accept your courteous offer. Open that parcel, and show me the contents.” , Madame Angelique did as she was directed, and exhibited four or five superb pieces of dress- material,—each piece containing the requisite quantity to be made up into costume. “‘ What are the prices of these ?” asked Indora. Madame Angelique named the specific sums, inwardly chuckling the while at the prospect of succeeding in the object of her mission, in com- parison with which she cared little for the sale of her costly materials,—which indeed, as the reader may suppose, she had only brought with her as a blind. “¥ will purchase them all,” said Indora: and drawing forth a purse from beneath the immense velvet cushion on which she was half reclining, she counted forth the sum in Bank of England notes. “ Your ladyship will perhaps permit me to make up these materials after the European fashion P” said Madame Angelique. “ Pardon me for the compliment—but your ladyship would look as well in such apparel as in that sweetly picturesqde costume which your ladyship now wears.” “Wo: leave these pieces here,” replied Indora. “ But you may make me three or four dresses of a far more simple character—such, for instance, as English ladies ordinarily wear. 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