The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 289: what you’re looking at

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278 “I suppose she didn’t want Constance to marry this Frenchman; and so she invented that tale.” “ But if it ehould happen to be true,” eaid Lord Harold: “ what then? Now, to tell you the truth, —no matter what I myself may be, I should be fariously indignant against any one who dared to inveigie away a sister of mine.” “What would you have me do?’ demanded Saxondale. “ Why, hasten after the fugitives, to be sure—eee that they are really married—aend if so, obtain from the Marquis that it is all a calamny about his former alliance: sad if he can’t or won’t give you satisfaction in this way, then you must seck it in another.” “What! shoot him the head, and so make my sister a widow at once f”’ Saxondale, by no means relishing the advice be had just reesived. “Come, come, Harold—you know very well that I am no coward: but it would be the height of folly to rush madly into such a scrape as this. Besides, a man who is descended from an- cestors in the time of the Tudors, can’t place him- self on 2 level with a beggarly French Marquis——” “But I, Edmund,” interrupted Staunton with eeme degree of bitternces, “ though belonging to a Se agent as your own, put myself on a level the day with an obscure artist, who could scaresly be called a gentleman—mach less a nobleman.” “ Well, if you were fool enough, my dear Harold, to let my precious lady-mother hurry you into that business, I can’t help it. It’s no reason why I should be equally imprudent.” “ I eee that the lees we talk upon this subject, the better,” obeerved Staunton. “ But wasn’t this re- solution of your mother’s to rush off into Lincoln- shire somewhat sudden ?” “Itwas. But I don’t bother myself much about her. Come, what are we going to do to-night? I Iam in the humour for amusement. To-morrow I have got an appointzuent with Marlow and Malton about having all my debts paid, and settling about a good monthly allowance till I come of age: ao I have every reason to be in the best possible spirits.” “I recollect you told me me how’ you reduced your mother to submission. You have to thank me for you in possession of that secret.” “ And so I do thank you, my dear Harold. It was most fortunate, the discovery of that Spanish costume! Ah, you should have seen how queer my mother looked the moment I told her of it. But what are we going to do, I again ask f Suppose we take a look in at the Oider-Cellar.” “ With all my heart,” responded Harold. “I feel rather dull and out of sorts this evening, and shall be glad of some rational kind of amusement. I am in no humour for getting into disturbances with the police, or losing money at the gambling- table: and therefore I will gladly adopt your sug- The two young noblemen seuntered towards Maiden Lane, in the immediate vicinage of Covent Garden. A lamp over an ample doorwey, and bearing the words “Cross Catan” upon the spacious staircase, into a region which though beneath the .evel of the ground, had nothing of subterranean gloom about it, they threaded « well- lighted passage, and entered a large room, which we purpose to describe for the benefit of those readers who may not be as familiar with the place There is a fine mirror at each extremity; and in the evening the place is completely flooded with the lustre of numerous gas-lampe. Three parallel lines of tables run the whole length of the immense apart- ment; and at the further end a platform is raised for the chairman, the pianist, and the vocalists engaged to contribute to the entertainment of the company. Asa matter of course the assemblage is somewhat of a miscellaneous character: for there may be seen the polished gentleman and the com summate enob—the unassuming visitor, as well as the insufferable coxcomb—the well-to-do tradesmen and the debauchee aristocrat—together with a pretty tolerable spri of the class known as “gents.” But the place is eminently respectable, and is con- ducted with a degree of decorum which prevente the developments of snobism and gentism from proving @ source of annoyance. On each side of the three lines of table the company are seated; and there is as miscellaneous an assortment of beverages as of guests. Some may be seen drinking wine— others ewater: others are theer thirst with malt liquors, draught or bottled—while others again are into the complacent good-humour produced by peculiar compounds known in that region by the name of “sedactives.” Some may be seen partaking of suppers, which are eerved up with most agreanble promptitude after the order is once given, aad in a way to tempt the most fastidious appetite. The staple commodity for these little refections appears to be the Welsh- rabbit: but devilled patronage. every body to smoke at the Cider-Cellar; and.it is the sole business of one of the waiters to hand round a box of Havannah’s choicest produce. By the way, speaking of waiters, wo may add that the attendance is unexceptionable. -At the table on the platform may be seen the chairman with the official hammer in his hand. On his right and left are the vocalists who contri- bute to the entertainment of the evening. Let it not be supposed that these are mere pot-house singers who give their services in consideration of their supper and their grog: they are of a much higher class, well known in the musical world, and engaged at handsome salaries by the spirited pro- prietor of the Oider-Cellar. The pianist too is a re- markabie character in his way, not merely with the somewhat singular appearance iiade by his white hair, his coloured glasses, and his black moustache, but by his professional talent. The entertainment generally commences at about ten o'clock in the evening; and up to eleven there is an almost uninterrupted succession of songs. .A& this hour the apartment is sure to be well filled ; ECOMRRICLO© (C SS CO