The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 119: what you’re looking at

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106 ewe eourse of the afternoon and remove to some other tavern, Ishould esteem it as a favonr—and my | room—and she is splendi'y missus would be particularly obliged.” “Is that all?” asked the Captain. “ Well, sir, I don’t know that I’ve anything more to say,” responded Mr. Snooks: “ uniess it is that I mean no offence and hope we shall part good friends.” “Then, by the living jingo, you infernal scoun- drei, I'll punish you for this!” thundered the Cap- tain: and darting round the table, he caught the landlord by the collar of his coat just as the af- frighted wretch was precipitating himself towards the stairs. “Come along, sirrah—come along— and if you make a noise, I'll flay you aive! There, sir—up into that corner—now stand on your head ~—~and, by all the daggers and bayoneés in the ani- verse! you shall remain in that posture while I and Robin eat our luncheons.” And suiting the action to the word, the Captain lifted up the unfortunate Mr. Snooks as easily as if he were a child—¢urned him completely over with his feet up in the air—and then deposited him in that ignominious and painful position in the corner. As for Robin, he just glanced at what was going on, and then fixed his looks again as intently as ever upon the front of Acavia Cottage, apparently considering his duties in that quarter. to be of more consequence than the pranks of his master. The landlord, who was rapidly growing purple in the face, begged and besought the Captain to forgive him; and after some little parley, during which the wretched Mr. Snooks acknowledged himself to be an insolent rascal and promised ' pever to offend again, the gallant officer vouchsafed to temper his justice with mercy. The result was that the landlord, having made all possible submis- sion, was allowed to resume his natural postare once more; and, slinking from the room, he hast- ened down stairs to vent his wrath upon his better . half at whose instigation ho had dared to give his formidable guest the notice to quit. “Now, Robin,” exclaimed the Captain, so soon as the landlord had retired, “let us discuss our luncheon. Here are chops,” he observed, lifting one of the meat-covers and flinging it across the soom; “here are rashers and eggs,” ho continued the second meat-cover into another corner; —“and here are sausages,” he added, sending the third cover spinning through the open window into the street. Robin stgrted—looked at his maater for an in- stant ~anod then turned his eyes upon Acacia Cot- tage again, without uttering a word. “Come and have your luach, I say,” cried the tain “You know that I always keep watch while you get your meals,” eaid Robin: “and then you take your turn for a few minutes while I get mine. There's going on opposite.” “ What?” demanded the Captain, as he began a desperate asaault upon the viands, “ The servants have bean duiug out the drawing- room with great care,” replied Robin. “ Well, and so they ought since the furniture’s goed,” remarked Tash. “Thunder and lightning ! if I had such a house as that, I'd have a whole regiment to polish the chairs and tables every morning, But what else do you observe ?° THE MYSTER.aS OF THE COURT. “Miss Trelawney has just entered the drawing- dressed,” answered Robin. “Now she’s rcvarding herself in in the mirror-——--" “And well she may,” exclaimed the Captain: “for she is the sweetest, loveliest woman I ever saw in all my life. Handsome people are naturally fond of looking at themselves in the glass, Robin. I am for one :”—-and with this remark, the gallant officer raised a tankard to his lips and draired it at a dfaught. “Miss Trelawney has been contemplating herself for more than a minute in that glass,” sald Robin. “She must be very conceited and vain. Ah! she little thinks that anybody is watching her, and how plain I can see into her drawing-room. Now she studies some attitude or look in front of the glass——” “Depend upon it there’s a visitor expected, Robin,” observed the Captain. “But ¢ will enter all these particulars in my memorandum book presently. Let me see, I am to call on the Rarl of Curzon this evening at ten—and on Sir Douglas Huntingdon at eleven. Ah! it was a very odd thing that when you went to the baronet’s om Tuesday evening, he should give you just the same instructions that the Earl had given me on the Monday—I mean, to watch all Mixs Tre'awney's movements as we are doing. I suppose there's e regular dead set made at her by the gay young sparks of the West End. Curzon on Monday— Huntingdon on Tuesday—and then that cowardly scoundrel Malpas last night at Lady Wenlock’s—— How I hate that Malpas, Robin!” “1 don’t like him neither,” observed the “Done your lunch?” he inquired, as his master rose and gave the bell a terrific pull. “Not quite, Robin,” answered the Captain, as he resumed his seat, “I merely want another flagon of ale—and some more chops, eggs, and sausages for you—seeing that | have swilled and devoured everything the landlord put upon the table. Now, Mr. Snooks,” he exclaimed as this individual made his trembling and timid appearance at the door, “Iam not going to socid you—on the contrary, I am well pleased with you, your missus as you call her, and your culinary arrangements below. The chops, the rashers, and the sausages were all so good that I have honoured them with the fullest discussion: and therefore for the behoof of my worthy attendant——” Here Robin gave vent to an ejaculation of sur- prise, exclaiming, “The Prince Regent's privaté nee has just stopped at Miss Trelawney’s CHAPTER XXX. THURSDAY: OR, THE FOURTH SUITOR. Roaix was right : it was indeed the private qarriage of the Prince Regent which had, just stopped at the door of Apacia Cottage. . His Royal Highness de- . scended, and was immediately ushered: up into the drawing-room, where Venetia Trelawney, in ail the eplendour and glory of her charms, rose from im, sofa to receive him. Although the Prince was ao polished i in manners, and Venetia was so lady-like, yet neither one coud COMME OG Ss CO