The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 391: what you’re looking at

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

384 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “ Silence!” again vociferated the old Baronet, waving his hand furiously. “I do not treat you as a nephew——I discard you—I disown you!” “You were already prepared to do so,” replied Edgar, drawing his tall form up proudly in the midst of his custodians, “before the incidents of this evening. Rest assured that I should feel ‘myself but little flattered or complimented by being spoken of in the world as the relative of such as you! And now, Sir John Steward, you " shall hear me. You may exercise your power tyrannously over my liberty: but you cannot placo a gag between my lips. I accuse you of keeping a young lady within these walls against her will—I accuse you of contemplating the coer- cion of this young lady into a marriage which is loathsome and repugnant to her—I accuse you of leaguing and conniving with an infamous woman——” “Sir John Steward,” cried Mrs. Oxenden, her countenance livid with rage, “is this abominable language to be tolerated P” ‘It is shocking,” interjected Beverley, “that a man should be compelled to speak thus of a woman: but with you, Mrs. Oxenden, I consider myself bound to keep no terms and to be swayed by no fastidiousness. Let your friend Sir John Steward dare to pronounce a sentence of imprison- ment against me and my generous-hearted com- panion, and I will unreservedly proclaim———” But at this moment there was 8 loud knocking at the street-door,—which had been immediately preceded by the sounds of an equipage rolling up to the front of the mansion, although these ds had paseed unheard in the dining-room on unt of the excitement of the scene. “ Who can this be?” ejaculated Sir John. “ The present business must be suspended for a moment——-I may be wanted—— it is possible that it is some one for me. Keep the prisoners in secure custody———And I would advise you, Edgar, to retain a etill tongue in your head if you wish me to show you any mercy.” Beverley flung a scornful look upon his uncle— but he made no verbal remark: he felt that he ought to do as mach as he possibly could to pro- cure the release of the young friend whose gene- rous services on his behalf had involved him in the present dilemma, Sir John Steward issued from the room, accompanied by Mrs. Oxenden : Edgar and Christian remaining in the custody of the domestics. As the Baronet and his female accomplice passed forth into the hall, a footman was just opening the | front door and giving admittance to a middle-aged | gentleman, from the side-pocket of whose overcoat peeped forth some parchments and other deeds. This was Mr. Andrews, the London attorney, whose arrival was not expected until the morrow. He was an active bustling individual—talked with - great volubility—and though really of good man- | ners, was nevertheless inclined to be somewhat too servilely obsequious towards his wealthy clients. He not of his own accord perform a dishonest action : but he was what might be termed a sharp practi- | tioner,—doing everything that the law allowed for | the side that be espoused, and believing that it was perfectly consistent with the character of an bonourable man to avail himself of whatsoever ) et was not exactly an unprincipled person—he would | quirks and chicaneries might be evolved during the course of his professional p : Such was the attorney who now received a welcome from Sir John Steward; and in a few rapiily uttered words Mr. Andrews explained how it was that he had come on the eve of the day when he was expected to arrive. The deeds were all finished—he found that there was a late train —and he thought that he might just as well run down from London at once, instead of waiting until the morrow, as he saw by the tenour of Sr John Steward’s letters that he was anxious to get the business eottled as soon as possible. Mr. Andrews was duly complimented by the Beronet for the seal which he had thus displayed; and as he had come to take up his temporary quarters at Verner House, the vehicle which he had hired to bring him from the railway-station was at once dismissed. Having been introduced to Mrs. Oxen- den, the lawyer was conducted to the drawing- room,—where the Baronet hastily explained to him the position of affairs in respect to Edgar Beverley and Christian. Mrs. Oxenden temporarily quitted the room in order to revisit her sister; and when the door closed behind her, the lawyer drew his chair nearer to that occupied by the Baronet,—et the same time observing, “ This is a nasty business, Sir John—a very nasty business; and you mast manage it with great delicacy. Pray excuse me: ut——” “What do you mean ?” inquired the Baronet. “Is it all right about the deed breaking off the entail and thereby disinheriting my graceless nephew P”’" “ All right, my dear sir,” responded the lawyer, with a smile half obsequiocus, half professionally significant. “ It is amongst these papers here :” — and he pointed to the documents which lay before him upon the table. “Then let me sign it at once!” exclaimed the old Baronet, in his greedy haste thus to avenge himself upon the nephew whom he detested. “ Softly—softly, Sir John!” said the lawyer. “With all due deference, the matter cannot be settled in such a railway speed. I am bound to read the document over to you ” “‘ Nonsense! nonsenee!” ejaculated the Baronet “'We can dispense with all formalities———” “ But, my dear Sir John,” again interposed the attorney— and it was with another obsequious smile,—*“ the document must be attested by com- petent witnesses. Now, pray listen tome. Here are all the deede—marriage-settlements, draft of will, and everything that you have ordered : bat dolet them stand over until we have first discussed the affair which seems to press with the most im- portance.” “Well, well,” said the Baronet, “no doubt you are right—and after all, something must be done at once in respect to this scapegrace of a nephew of mine and his friend.” “Pardon me for appearing to dictate, my dear Sir John,” resumed Mr. Andrews; “ but you really must not treat the matter magisterially. It would perhaps be all the better for me,” he went on to observe with a chuckle; “because you would be certain to have actions for false imprisonment brought against you-——” “ And what doI care?” exclaimed the Baronet = “I have the means of paying the damages.” (COIMUC DOO CS (COL