The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 176: what you’re looking at

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

168 * You mean me to understand, then,” said Mrs, Eitzherbert, with difficulty restraining alike her indignation and her tears, bat almost choking through the efforts which it cost her thus te dam ‘ap the natural flow of her feclings,—“ you mean me to understand that either yourself or your follower must remain in charge of my person antil I am lodged in——” “ My lock-up in Chancery Lane,” added Crimp, finishing the sentence in the manner which the lady's emotions would not permit her te achieve. “But you must at least allow me to retire to my own room and dress myself becomingly ?” said the lady, feeling so truly wretched that she would have welcomed even Death at the moment, in whatever shape he might have chosen to appear. 7 pardon, ma’am,” hastily ejaculated Mr. Crimp: “but not without my examining the room aforehand to see whether there’s any inner doors leading elsewhere. And eveh supposing it’s all right in that respeck, my man Jack must remain Seeae ata’ PaBigce fo 800 that you don't forget yourself and to pay a morning wisit—or go out shopping—or take a airin’ in the park——”" “ Enough—enough !” exclaimed Mrs. Fizherbert, the bitter cup of her humiliation being now, as she ancied, fall'to overflowing. But she was speedily destined to experience more poignant pangs~more mortifying rebuffs—and more distressing reverses. CHAPTER CLXY. THE LADY OF QUALITY AND HER DOMESTIOS. . PRERE was a long pause after Mrs. Fitzherbert had abruptly and imperiously cut short Mr. Nathan Crimp’s speculations as to the course which she might pursue were she suffered to remain un- watched by either himself or his man. The un- happy lady revolved in her mind a thousand plans in a minute: but none appeared equal to the pre- sent emergency. - For the case was urgent in the extreme: two thousand pounds must be paid at '§ Once—or to a lock-up house must she go. While Mrs. Fitzherbert was thus deliberating upon her difficulties and the means of extricating herself therefrom,—and while Crimp was whisper- ing aside to his man Jack that “ tho fine lady would have to go to quod arter all,”—the door was sud- denly thrown open, and in bounced a tall, hand- some, but bold-looking young woman, dressed in a very coquettish style. This was the principal lady’s-maid in the establishment of Mra, Fitzher- bert, in whose service she had been for some years, and by whom she was regarded as a confidante and even friendly adviser, “I am engaged at present, Alicia, you perceive —disagreeably cngaged,” said Mrs. Fitsherbert, somewhat surprised and annoyed at the unceremo- nious manner in which the abigail had burst into the apartment. “When I want you I will ring.” “Very good, ma’am—you may ring,” exclaimed the lady’s-maid, who had evidently made up her mind to puta bold and insolent front upon the matter which she had in hand: “but perhaps I shan’t come.” “ Alicia, this from you 2” cried Mrs. Fitzherbert, SAAD who a minute before would have staked her sou. upon the fidelity, attachment, and gratitude of a domestic whom she had ever treated with especial consideration. “Well, ma’am, I don’t mind ‘saying this te from me,” was the prompt reply. “But all I want is my wages, if you please,.ma’am—eighteen months’ arrears, besides thirty-four guineas of my little savings which you kindly offered to take care of for me, ma’am,” continued the abigail, with a mix- ture of sarcasm and superciliousness in her tone and manner. “Alicia, you must understand my present posi- tion,” said Mrs. Fitzherbert, dashing away the tears which had started forth upon her long lashes, and speaking in an appealing tone. “ You see these men—and you can comprehend their mission.” “Yes, ma’am, I see the men,” rejoined Alicia, in a voice of dogged insolence: “and it’s precisely because I do see them here that I want my wages and the money that’s owing to me. I don’t sup- pose a lady like you means to cheat a poor hard~ working creature like me out of the pittance that happens to be due.” “ Alicia, I am incapable of cheating any one,” exclaimed Mrs. Fitzherbert, her countenance flush- ing with sudden indignation. “Pm delighted to hear it, ma’am,” observed the abigail, with the most provoking doggeduess ; “ be~ cause it’s a proof that you mean to pay me what's due and Jet me take myself off at once.” “Ig it possible that you intend to desert me at this moment?” exclaimed the unhappy lady, who now felt as if all the world were abandoning her. “J don’t see how you can afford to keep me any longer, ma'am,” was the answer; “and I really don’t feel inclined either to work for nothing or keep myself when out at service.” Mrs. Fitzherbert passed her handkerchief hastily over her countenance and endeavoured to subdue her emotions sufficigntly to give a calm and digni- fied response to thé lady’s-maid: but at the same instant the door was again opened—aad the butler entered the room. He was a sleek, stout, comfortable-looking man, of middle age, and attired with great precision in a blagk suit: but his shirt-frill, cravat, and wristbands were of the finest linen and most snowy whiteness. Making a low bow, he advanced up to the sofa where his mistress was seated; and bending dowu towards her, said in a whispering tone fraught with the profoundest respect, “ Would it be convenient, madam, for you to settle my little account ?” “What! you likewise have turned against ma, Robinson?” cried Mrs. Fitzherbert, aloud. “JI do not deserve such a reproach, ma’am,” an- swered the butler, in a soft tone and an insinuating manner, “ But I must take leave to remind you, madam, with every sentiment of respect and every feeling of devotion, that I'am responsible to the wine-merchant—the butcher—the baker—the gro- oer—and sundry other tradesmen ; and that unless I liquidate their bills this very morning, ma‘am, I skall be put to serious inconvenience ere night-fall.” , “ What do yon mean, Robinson ?” demanded the’ lady. “ You are not responsible for my debts “ Bat these persons hold that I am, madam,” re. plied the batler. “ At all events, individuals in my situation do not choose to quarrel with individuals in their'es—and consequently with all due submis. 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