The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 183: what you’re looking at

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170 ee) that must have been transcendantly marvellous in her youthful days, but with a countenance mo- delled in a style that denoted the strongest pas- sions. This sensuality of facial outline and gene- ral expression was however moderated, though not altogether subdued, by the unassuming—in- deed, the extremely plain apparel which the Mar- chioness wore: and that comparative homeliness of dress contrasted strangely with the costly ele- gance which characterised the spacious apartment wherein she was seated. . “What is your business, my good man?” she inquired, in a soft voice and mild demeanour. “Please your ladyship, I've brought this here letter from Mrs. Fitzherbert,” said Mr. Nathan Crimp: “and as it’s private and confiden- tial ——.” “Ah! I understand,” interrupted the Mar- chioness, her whole countenance becoming sud- denly animated with delight. “Then you are doubtless acquainted with the nature of its con- tents 7” “To be sure I be, your ladyship,” was the response. “ And the favour, then. is granted—and the two thousand guineas will be accepted ?” exclaimed the Marchioness, speaking in a confidential tone. “How on earth could your iladyship ess b } ] ‘+ Hush! not a word!” said the dowager, putting her finger upon her lip, while the sheriff's officer, stopping short in his exclamations, gazed upon the lady with open-mouthed, staring, stolid, won- der. “Sit down, my good man—sit down,” she said, pointing towards a chair: “you are evi- dently a person enjoying the confidence of my beloved, valued, and very dearest friend, Mrs. Fitzherbert. I suppose, therefore, that you oc- cupy some situation ix her household? —or, per- haps,” added the Marobioness, lowering her voice to the most mysterious whisper,—“ perhaps you are employed in the War Office ?” ‘‘ Not quite that, ma’am,” responded Mr. Nathan Crimp: “although I do hold a hofficial capacity, as the sayin’ is ” “ Ah! I thought es much !” ejaculated the Mar- chioness, looking very sly and very cunning in- deed: then, as she took up tho letter which the bailiff had laid upon the table, she said, “ Well, I am really delighted to think that Mrs. Fitzherbert should have used such despatch in complying with my request. It is a proof of friendship on her part which I shall never, never forget; and she may always rely upon my gratitude in return. Indeed, without this proof of her good feeling, I should ever have remained the most devoted—the moet sincere—the most faithfil of her friends. And I am still more charmed at the promptitude of her compliance with my request, inasmiach as it fully proves the falsity of the idle tittle-tattle which is now current concerning her, and which represents the rupture between herself and the Prince as complete: whereas I all along declared Any firm conviction to be that it was only a con- cession judiciously made to public opinion, on the eve of an event which so closely regards the na- tional intereats—I mean the approaching mar- riage of his Royal Highness with the Princess Caroline of Brunswick.” ‘I’m very much afeared that your ladyship is labouring undersome mistake oranother,” said Mr. TIIE MYST RIES. Nathan Crimp, who had listened with increasing bewilderment to the long speech just delivered. “ What mistake?—how can there be any error ?” exclaimed the Marchioness of Banbury, now puzzied im her turn. “The matter is as plain and simple as possible; and since you area person enjoying the confidence of my beloved friend Mrs. Fitzherbert, I will explain it to you ina moment. Then the two’ thousand pounds shall be immediately forthcoming——” “ That's exactly what I want, please your lady- ship,” cried the bailiff, chuckling at the thought of fingering so much coin and indulging in the gratifying expectation of receiving from Mrs. Fitz- herbert at least a twenty-pound note for himself. “ Well, then, you see that there can be no error,” resumed the Marchioness: “ because if you are empowered to receive the amount just named, it is quite clear that the transaction is complete—and this note, which dear Mrs. Fitzherbert has sent me by you and which I will now at once proceed to open, unquestionably contains the intelli- gence——”. “Tt relates to the two thousand guineas, sure enough,” exclaimed Mr. Crimp. “ Butas for any service in return—or any transaction completed —I'm as entirely at sea as your ladyship seems to be yourself.” “ This is most extraordinary !” cried the dow- ager. “ Do let us understand each other, even be- fore I open this letter. It will be much better.” “So I think, ma’am,” observed Mr. Nathan Crimp. “ Well, then—you speak fust, and tell me what your notion of the business ts.” “Tt lies in a nutshell, my good man,” said her ladyship. ‘ The day before yesterday I wrote to Mrs. Fitzherbert requesting her to use her great influence to obtain a regiment for my second son, Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Willesden. In that note I hinted that if Mrs. Fitzbert knew any poor per- son to whom she would like to present a couple of thousand pounds, that sum should be placed at her disposal for such a purpose. And now there- fore, you perceive that the transaction is doubtless completed—and that you have been sent to give a receipt for the amount just named.” “Then your ladyship was never more niis- taken in your life,” exclaimed Crimp; “ although I dessay that if you will only assist Mrs. Fitsher- bert in her present troubles, she'll get your son made not only a Colonel, but also a Harchbishop, whenever she rekivers her power over the Prince.” ‘What do I hear ?—what do you mean 2” cried the Dowager-Marchioness of Banbury, rising from her seat and now drawing herself up with all the stately haughtiness which England's inso- lent Aristocracy know so well how to assume. “Mrs. Fitzhorbert has lost her influence, you say ?—and she is involved in troubles ?” “ Terrible ones, may it please your ladyship,” exclaimed Crimp. “ But be so kind as so perooge her letter.” “ It is acarcely necessary,” observed the Mar- chioness, tossing the missive away from her with mingled aversion and disgust. “You can tell me in a few words what the woman wants with me, although I now more than half suspect.” “Bhe hopes and trosts that your ladyship, for friendship’s sake, will lend her a couple of thou- sand guineas for a foo days,” exclaimed Mr. eee (C DOO (CO