The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 177: what you’re looking at

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

104 ae MYSTERIES. | an sion and respect, I wish to see these little matters gettled at once.” But before Mra. Fitzherbert had time to make another comment upon the butler’s demands, the door was thrown open again, and the coachman entered the room. He was a short, stout, red-faced man, with smal! twinkling green eyes, and an air of dogged resolve apparent beneath the look of good-nature which first struck the observation. He wore the powdered wig and the gorgeous livery which a detestable fashion then imposed, and still imposes, upon that class of British serfs who belong to the grade of flunkeyism :—and always having hated the disgust- ing badge of slavery which he was compelled to wear, he was of a disposition by no means likely to allow an opportunity to pass of venting his spite upon any member, whether male or female, of that aris- tocratic class which upholds the system whereby 6 distinctive garb is given to the man-servant in the lordly dwelling as well as to the pauper in the workhouse or to the felon in the gaol. Darting a rapid glance of inquiry upon the lady’s- maid and the butler, and receiving from each of them as prompt a look expressive of a negative, the coachman made an awkward kind of a bow—for he was a clumsy man and had been engaged in Mrs. Fitzherbert’s service solely on account of his obesity, fat persons being preferred by the rich folks for the office that he filled. “Now, Matthews, what do you want?” demanded Mrs. Fitzherbert, her indignation once more tri- amphing over her affliction and bringing the blood to her cheeks, “Please, ma’am,” was the response, delivered in a hoarse tone which was habitaal with the man, “I waif upon you as a deppitation——” “ A what 2” cried the lady, in unfeigned astonish- ment. “A deppitation from the domestics which fs now assembled. down in the servants’ hall,” continued the coachman; “and bein’ a deppitation from them—— “What does he mean, Robinson?” demanded Mrs. Fitzherbert, turning tewards the butler. “He means a deputation, madam,” replied the' individual thus appealed to: then, all his forsr biandness of tone afd manner changiag into a eold reserve which the slightest provocation would push into a haughty insolenoce, the butler added, “ And I really think, ma’am, with all due respect, that this is nof the time to assume the airs of a great lady and affect ignorance of the man’s meaning just be- cause his pronunciation may be somewhat defective.” If a giance had the power to kill, the look which Mrs. Fitzherbert threw on the butler would have transfixed him on the spot. Had she been the wife of the Prince of Wales—had she been in the fall enjoyment of the title of “ Her Royal Highness,” she could not have assumed at the instant a more majestic bearing nor a mien of haoghtier grandeur. Her brows arched more nobly—her carriage grew more queen-like—her bosom swelled more superdly,—and this was all the work of a single hour. “ And now, Matthews, what is it?” she de- manded, turning once again towards the coach- man. “* Please, ma’am,” said this individual, “I come on the pert of myself and them of my fellow-ser- qaqa vants as isn't here now at this present speaking. but is anxiously waiting below for me to go back to them to report the success of my arrand. Ané& what [ have to say may be summed up in a werry few words—which fs, ma’am, we hopes and expects you'll pay us all the arrears of vages which is doo- to us.” And having thus delivered himself, the coach~ man cast a determined look around, not only upon | his mistress, the butler, and the lady’s-maid, bat likewise upon the two bailiffs who were standing apart enjoying the scene which we are relating. “T now perceive that your conduct towards me, is the result ‘of a plan previously settled and re- solved upon,” said Mrs. Fitzherbert, sweeping her- indignant glances around upon the three domes- tics: “for I did not fail to notice the look of intel- ligence which passed between you when Matthews: first entered the room just now. That look asked as plainly as cyes can ever speak, whether you, Robinson, and you, Alicia, had been paid your demands upon me ;—and the roe glances which you both threw back, significant of the negative. Now I am well aware that you are en- titled to your wages—and I deeply, deeply regret that I cannot liquidate them in fall at this moment. But I cannot: and even while explaiing myself thus frankly, I must observe that the course which you, Robinson and Matthews, have adopted towards. me is unmanly in the extreme—while your con- duct, Alicia, is unfeeling to a degree. I have now no more to say—un'ess it be that I am going hence to a prison, but that in the. course of this day or to-morrow, I will borrow from my friends enough to pay all I owe te my servants.” And Mrs. Fitzherbert, whese voice had begun to faulter only when she made so unmistakable ar aliusion to a debtor’s gaol, now turned abraptly aside and concealed her face in her handkerchief. “We are robbed as completely as if our pockets was picked [” exclaimed the coachman, at the top. of his hoarse, rough voice, while he stamped his foot savagely down upon the floor. “It's a dead take-in—a downright cheat,” screamed the lady’s-maid, in thrilling tones that. vibrated with hysterical rage. “Every sentiment of respect which I lately ex- perienced towards Mrs. Fitzherbert, has now eva- porated,” said the butler; “and I must candidly and freely confess that I agree with the remarks which have fallen from Mr. Matthews and Miss Alicia. In a word, we are all the victims of a mere adventuress.” “The idea of such a pauperised upstart-creatur” @ venturin’ to put a man like me into such a cussed. togrery as this!” exclaimed the coachman, tossing. his powdered wig indignantly on one side and. throwing off his lace-bedizened coat on the other. “ A lady who takes a butler should be able ta pay him,” said Mr. Robinson: then, with all the bitterness of sarcasm which the natural irnity of his disposition could enable him to throw into his language, he observed, “ Even the very lowest of kept women always pay their servants whom they are obliged to turn off beceuse they then. selves are turned off by their paramours.” . “To be sure!” added Alicia: “the common street walker takes care of her servante——” “ Ani therefore I'm sure the prostitute of fashion: able life ought to do the same,” remarked the butler (COU (C DOO (CO