The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 181: what you’re looking at

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

———_— — _ TTT 16P “Why, because it would be rayther too good,” re- sponded Crimp. “ But I suppose you'll make no difficulty in writing out a cheque which I'll run off and get keshed at the banker’s at onco——” “You are really very accommodating, sir,” inter- zupted Lady Singleton. “Don’t you think he is, Miss Jukes t” “J never knew any one more so,” answered the om panion. “Come, now—no palavering about the matter,” Crimp. “ You've told me how much you love Mrs. Fitsherbert—and bow you'd sacrifice all your fortune to do her a service—and now the oppor- tunity presents itself. ‘Cos I'll be very candid with you, ma "am—and therefore the truth is that there’s a writ out agin Mrs. Fitsherbert for two thousand pounds and odd; and if so be she don’t settle in an hour or so, she'll have to go to a lock-up.” “Tnen her rupture with the Prinee és complete ?” cried Lady Singleton and Miss Jukes, as if speaking in the same breath. “I'm afeard it be,” said Crimp. “ The more’s the pity—’cos now the dear lady's on’y chance is in the good feelin'’s of her friends——” “And pray, Sir Nathan, why do you aot pay the money, I ask once more?” exclaimed Lady Single- ton, drawing her prim form up to the full extent of its demure lankiness. “T can’t make out why you and t’other lady keep on calling me Sir Nathan,” said Crimp: “ ’cos you'd better know the truth at vonce, and then you'll see why it isn’t possible for me to come down with the stumpy. Ina vord, then, I’m the hofficer which bas made the caption—aod my man has got Mrs Fitzherbert in custody at this present speaking. Now, then——"’ “What! you are not a baronet, then?” shrieked Lady Singleton, starting to her feet and surveying Mr. Nathan Crimp with mingled disgust and sus- picion. “ Nor even al night?” screamed Miss Jukes, rush- ing to the bell. “Neither von nor tother—and be damned to them!” was Mr. Crimp’s very emphatic ejaculation. “ But what is all this pother about “ Leave the repm, sir!” cried Lady Singleton. “ Yes—be off with you!” exclaimed Miss Jukes, tinging the bell frantically. “ But what answer shall I convey back to Mrs. Fitzherbert f” . Cemanded Crimp, dismayed at the sudden turn whi th the aspect of affairs had taken. “J deeply regret, sir, that I have no money to fend,” said Lady Singleton, in a severe tone. “ Mrs, Fitzherbert is an extravagant woman—and she must pay the penalty of her thoughtlessness.” “To be sure!” cried Miss Jukes. “It serves her quite right.” “She is a proud upstart,” continued Lady Sin- gleton. “ And therefoge her fall is merited,” observed the toady.” “She can go te prison, for anything I care,” ex- claimed the worthy lady. “ And she may rot there too, without my breaking my heart on her aceeunt,” added Miss Jukes. At this moment the doer was opencd—and the hall-porter, by two tall] footmen in gor- geous diveries, rushed into the room, the violent nuging of the bell having alarmed them. “Tur that person eut of the house,” exclaimed ad ” oe @ ® Lady Singleton, pointing with unmitigated disgust at the bailiff : “ He is an impostor.” “ A thorough impostor,” echoed Mies Jukes. * And if Mrs. Fitsherbert should call or send,” continued Lady Singleton, “mind that I am net at home.” “ And never shall be at home any more to Mrs. Fitzherbert or any one from her,” added Miss Jukes, with ‘a look of bland appeal to her patroness. “ Quite correct, my dear,” said Lady Singleten, tossing her head indignantly. “I always thought that Mrs. Fitsherbert was a low creature and ne credit a8 an acquaintance.” “‘Yes—and you always said ae much to me, I am sure,” cried Miss Jukes. “The airs that she has given herself !—and the way she has come down ! It’s quitea jadgment on her for her frailty,” added Miss Jukes, who had three bastard children living at a farm-house in the country. , “ You're right, my. dear—it’s a visitation of Provi- dence on her head for her sins,” remarked Lady Singleton, whose profligacy in her younger days was notorious to all but her besotted husband: and he, good easy man, believed her to be a paragon of virtue. But we must leave this immaculate Jady and her equally well-principled “ companion” to pass their comments upon the fallen Mrs. Fitsherbert, while we follow Mr. Nathan Crimp, who, having been very unceremoniously bundled out of Lady Single- ton’s mansion, proceeded in the hackney-coach te the not less splendid abode of the Dowager-Mar- chioness of Banbury in Park Lane. Daring the ride thither Mr. Crimp revolved in his mind which was the best course to adopt; and it struck him that on this occasion he would repre- aent himself as the mere messenger entrusted with a confidential communication, and in that capacity await the result. Accordingly, un arriving at the gate of Lady Banbury’s superb dwelling, he gave a modeat ring, and assumed no aira when questioned by a porter clad in such a radiant livery that if the sun had happened to be shining at the time the presence of that magnificent specimen of flunkeyism must have been perfectly bewildering. “Walk in, my good fellow,” said this tremendous individual, addressing Mr. Crimp with the mest patronising urbanity. “Sit down in the hall—don’t be afraid—we shan’t eat you up—although I des-eay the appearance of such a place must be rather over-. powering to one unaccustomed to such splendour. Ah! poor man, I pity youe-dweller in some back alums as you no doubt are !” “It’s exceedin’ kind of you to sympathise with me,” obeerved Mr. Crimp, who could have said if he had chosen that he had a well furnished house of his own in Chancery Lane: but as he was resolved to try the effect of humility in the present instance, he followed the porter into the marble ball with as muobh apparent deference as a pauper is compelled to show to the pompous beadle who conducts the wretched being to the workbouse. “And now wheres the letter?” demanded the porter. “ Here, sir,” replied Mr. Nathan Crimp. The countenance of the porter brightened up in an instant when he heard himself addressed as “ Sir” and, patting Mr, Crimp upon the shoulder in a pa-- ternal manner, he said, © Now I'll be beund that you'd like te obtain an audience of the Marchiencs bereelft” sn nS si i i Sy (CO (C DOO (CO