The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 393: what you’re looking at

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

$86 THE MYSTERIEG OF THE COURT. Baronet petulantly, “is a document of the nature you mention P He may sign it as a stratagem to procure his freedom ;—and the stupid adage is, you know, that all stratagems are allowable in love as well as in war.” “This is the use,” rejoined Mr. Andrews :— “that you can display the document to Miss Hall—she will at once perceive thet Mr. Beverley’s worldly interests ride ant over his love— and the natural pride woman will induce her to discard him from her heart for ever.” “On my soul, this js capital!” ejaculated Sir John Steward, clutohing at the ideg the moment that it was fully expounded tohim. “ Why, my dear Andrews, you are as well yersed in love- affairs as you are in those of the law. Bus what course do you mean to adopt ?” “ Will you be guided by aye, Sig Jobn Pf” asked the attorney. Tne, be cara! { to he gure! Yop are managing matters te have here . “Then lef ys Beverley up bere at once. He a he rian with use-the servants can wait outside drqwing-room door—and I dare say the windqws a nig enough to preven an escape. Bhall I ring the bell ?” Sir Jobn Steward 6 ded an assent: the was rung—« servant answered the summons—t order was givren—ang in a cape of minnie Edgar Beverley wag introduced to the dra rooyn. The Baronet strove to render the exp ; sion of hig countenance as sternly grave as na sible, as he bade the domestics retire but ox lp the landing outside: Edgar advanced into room with a dignified demequour, and tock a some distance from the table. “This gentleman,” said Bir John Steward, fis Mr. Andrews, my solicitor—and he is desirous having some little copyersation with you.” “Then, as a gentlemap versed in the law,” af | {i once observed Edgar, himeelf to the attorney, “you will ic Sir Johy Steward that i¢ may be dangerous {a friend Mr. Ashton any longer in the cus of a set of lacqueys: for what he has helped me to do —or rather to attempt—here this evening, can be justified by every principle of rectitude and honour.” “ There will be no harm, Mr. Beverley,” replied the solicitor, “in your friend remaining a few minutes | in his present position, inasmuch as I hope that you will both very shortly go away to- gether in freedom and jn peace, as the result of the discourse I am about to hold with you.” “ Proceed, sir,” said Edgar, coldly. “My dear sir,” yesumed Mr. Andrews, with a bland smile, “you cannot possibly entertain any animosity against me. If you do, I am sorry for it. But let ys come to the point. This document, Mr. Beverley ”—and he lifted the deed from the table as he spoke—“will have the effect, when duly signed by Sir Jobn Steward, of breaking of the entail] of his estates and enabling him to bequeath them to whomeocever he may think fit. You must therefore understand that inasmuch as you will henceforth have no prospective interest in your uncle’s property, you become entirely de- pendent upon his bounty. But on his behalf, I offer to secure you the sum of five hundred s year, on condition that you pow at once sign a paper which I in a few minutes will draw up, to the effect that you renounce all claim and preten- sion to the hand of Miss Hail.” Edgar Beverley sprang up from his seat in so violent an agitation that for an instant it appeared as if he were on the poibt of inflicting summary chastisement upon the person of the solicitor: but the next moment restraining the extreme violence of his feelings, he darted one withering glance upon his uncle, and then addressed the attogpey in the following manner :— “Your position, sir, for another, dignation Bat bent We tion fhe base — have made me | what yon should la despicable yes the mere hireling agent you from the effects of my re- © teject with scorn and in- ess. But when that falecly called bounty qa tho pulse Ses ey whieh is above | Dine dina et RO words ate adequate for the ex- and indignation. And now Pifeeaand that may once be freg to depart ° pe—twy young companion likewise———or, by . 9, coat he lives lost ere Tam again Baty nee csaimed Se Join or ‘bef I Tioga weet in disinberiing you—ayp, by ina reat me ae E rf (i patie ont the inf taf Fast the at other : i ti ea pies ya- cae Ee ie he bad just bust noy demynded bi bis entirely on Christian’s be no means the ane tq remain cing ar ithe Seni tel i mone ra @ butler and another upper-servant speedily made their appearance; and Sir Jobn Steward, still in a towering rage, exclaimed with pessionate vehemence, *I want you to witness a deed—e deed which my lawyer will now have the kindness to read over———a deed—a deed———Bat go on, Mr. Andrews!” added the Baronet with an oath. The lewyery sew that any further remonstrance would be unavailing; and though after his journey from London, he would much sooner have sate down to a good supper, and then beteken himself to bed, he was nevertheless constrained through fear of displeasing the Baronet to commence the reading of the document. The butler and his fellow-servant listened with a sort of vacant bewil- derment to the technical phrases, the endless cir- cumlocutions, and the labyrinthine language of the deed: the Raronet sate with an expression of grim gloating triumph ypon his countenance: Edgar Reverley wes deliberating in his own mind what plan he could possibly edopt for the rescue of Leura—and 90 far from listening to the language of the document which was being read, he had no other sensation with regerd to it than a continuous droning sound flowing upon hisear. At at the expiration of about twenty minutes, CO IMULUG DOO C) CS (COL