The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 317: what you’re looking at

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308 At this moment a domestic entered, and whis- pered something in the ear of Madame An- gelique. “Very good,” said the woman: “I will come in a moment.” ‘What is it,’ asked the Duke, when the ser- vant bad withdrawn. “ A gentleman who has just entered the saloon from M. Bertin’s house,” was the response. “Then pray get rid of your patron, whoever he is, as soon as possible,” said Marchmont, in a tone of visible ill-humour: “for our conversation is of much greater moment just at present than any visite in the way of business.” “T will not be many minutes absent,” responded the Frenchwoman. “It is doubtless a stranger— one of neighbour Bertin’s recommendation—and I am bound to be courteous and civil towards bim.” Having thus spoken, Madame Angelique issued from her private apartment, leaving the Duke by himeelf there; and she proceeded to that saloon which on former occasions we have described. None of the young ladies were there at the mo- ment: but she saw that the individual who had just been introduced thither, was carefully ex- amining the mirror-contrived door. He was hand- somely dreased: but the keen experienced eye of Madame Angelique at once detected that he was not a gentleman, in the common acceptance of the term. Indeed, there was something vulgar in his appearance; and he did not seem accustomed to the elegant apparel which he had on. A sus- picion of evil flasbed to the mind of the infamous proprietress of the establishment: but putting on a smiling countenance, she accosted the visitor,— who had been so absorbed in examining the mirror- contrived door, that he had not in the first in- stance noticed her entrance from the opposite side of the room. “You are Madame Angelique ?” he said. “I am,” was the response; and she affected to smile with the utmost affability. “Well, ma’am,” rejoined the man, “and I am a detective officer.” _ A faint scream burst from the guilty woman’s lips—and she felt as if she were about to faint: for in that announcement there was something terrible to her ears and fraught with direst ap- prehension to her soul. “But do not alarm yourself,” he almost imme- resumed; “for I come in quite a friendly Infinite was the relief produced by this second announcement; and Madame Angelique instan- taneously began to overwhelm her visitor with attentions. She made him sit down at the table— she produced wine and other refreshments from the amply supplied side-board—and her visitor ap- peared well inclined to do justice to them. “You are an amiable woman, Madame lique,” he said, having tossed off his second bumper; “and I could not find it in my heart to hurt you. My name, ma’am, is Shadbolt. Perhaps you may have heard it before ?”’ “I cannot say I recollect it,” answered Madame Angelique. “But do explain what brought you hither ?—for I am still so agitated and excited-——”’ “Calm yourself, ma’am,” interrupted Mr. Shad- bolt: “you have no reason to be afraid. The THE MYSTERIES OF TITE COURT. truth is,” he continued, making an inroad into a sponge-cake by means of a silver knife, and then immediately applying the same instrument to a melon, out of which he cut a huge slice,—* the truth is, ma’am, certain information has been given to the police———” “By whom?” asked Madame Angelique eagerly; and she was trembling from head to foot. “Ah! that’s more than I can tell,” replied Shadbolt. “All I know is that by means or another an intimation was conveyed to the Com- missioners of Police this very day, that your establishment was of such and such a description— of course, ma’am, I don’t like to make indelicate allusions. By goles, this sherry’s first-rate—and the port’s stunning !” “The Commissioners of Police!” murmured the wretched Madame Angelique: “what will become of me ?” ‘“ Nothing unpleasant, if you only listen to me,” answered Mr. Shadbolt. “It was lucky for you, ma’am, that I was appointed to look into the httle matter: for if it had been any other of the deteo- tives, you would have found yourself in Queer Street, and no mistake. But I, my dear madaa, am an exception to the rule: I know what gentility is—and I wouldn’t think of acting harsh towards a lady of your——” he was about to say “respect- ability,” but he thought he had better use the word “generosity”—and he substituted it accord- ingly. “T cannot be too grateful to you,” exclaimed Madame Angelique, to whose mind an immense relief was imparted by the praises which Mr. Shad- bolt sang of himself. “You see, ma'am,” continued this individual, who was most impartially dispensing his attention to all the wines, fruite, and cakes upon the table, “the information which was sent to the Commis- sioners described how your neighbour, the French tailor, bas a pleasant little understanding with you—and how a well-dressed person, by whispering a word in M. Bertin’s ear, to the effect that he has got an appointment with a lady in your house, could at once obtain admission ;—and I must do you the justice, ma’am, to observe that of all the neat, com and useful contrivances I ever saw, that looking-glass door beats them all into fits!” “ Good Heaven, then, the secret is known to the Commissioners P” Madame ique. “You ought to console yourself,” replied Mr. Shadbolt, “by the reflection that it is a wonder if should have been kept a secret so long.” “ And what will you do to help meP how will you serve me asa friend?” asked the Frenchwoman rly. “It all depends, ma’am,” was the response. “Every thing has its price. No reflections, ma’am—but you have your price for the pleasant little accommodation you furnish here; and with- out being more than is absolutely neces- sary, I may add that I, Isaac Shadbolt—or honest Ike, as I am generally called—have my price “ Anything,—everything, if you will only shield me!” said Madame Angelique, in a flutter of mingled hope and suspense. “Come, ma’am—fifty guineas won’t hurt you ?” “A hundred!” exclaimed Madame Angelique, her generosity becoming lavish in proportion to the amount of peril that was to be averted. (COL (C DOO CS (COL