The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 347: what you’re looking at

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

-———— Lad ce i i 336 “1¢ may be so: but one of course docs not know everybody who frequents places of public amuse- ment.” ‘‘Our conversation is likely to be a long one,” said Emily; “aud as I am fatigued with travelling by railway and by post-chaise, you will permit me to be seated :’—saying which, she deposited herself in a free and easy manner upon a sofa, and un- fastened the ribbons of her bonnet to give herself air —for the evening was close ard sultry. “ Now perhaps,” observed Lady Saxondale, like- wise taking a seat, but with a cold, distant, formal air, as if to rebuke the familiarity which her visi- tress seemed inclined to display,—‘‘now perhaps, you will have the goodness to inform me for what purpose you have sought this interview.” “Does your ladyship really mean me to un- derstand,” exclaimed Emily, “that my name 1s unknown to you? Well, of that no matter. I will speedily explain who I am. At the Itahan Upera I am Mademoiselle D’Alembert—where I condescend to dance, apparently for the diversion of such as your ladyship who lounge in the boxes, but in reality because it suits my whim and gratifies my pride. But at my own house, Evergreen Villa— where I live in excellent style—my name is Miss Archer; and it is as Miss Archer that I now intro- duce myself to your ladyship. I may add that your son Lord Saxondale has recently bcen a very inti- mato friend of mine—until last night, when I picked a quarrel with him fdr the express purpose of caus- ing a lasting breach between us. A certain Lord Harold Staunton,” pursued Emily, with a significant and half-malicious smile, “who I believe is well known to your ladyship, can explain these particu- Jars the next time you see him.” The danseuse delivered herself of this speech in a sort of half-flippant, half-familiar manner, which stirred the proud soul of Lady Saxondale to its nethermost depths; and she looked coldly stern and supremely haughty as she bent her gaze upon Miss Archer. “You have introduced yourself, it is true,” said her ladyship: “ but the object of your visit is as yet unexplained.” “It is really difficult for me to believe that your ladyship has no suspicion of the object of my visit,” resumed Emily: “but if it be so, explanations are easily given. In short, your ladyship has only to reflect whether there be anything at all peculiar in respect to yourself and Lord Harold Staunton, in order to arrive at a complete idea of my purpose.” “You are speaking in a manner which is almost sufficient to induce me to order you from my pre- gence.” e ‘‘No—your ladyship will do nothing of the kind,” was Emily Archer’s cool response. “I can read the human countenance well enough; and at this mo- ment while 1 am addressing you, there is a certain trouble in yours—though I must confess that it would escape the notice of any one who was nota very close observer. Now, in plain terms,” con- tinued Miss Archer, “I am confident that you do know that Lord Harold Staunton called upon me last night in London and made certain proposals to me. He offered me monies whieh could not have possibly been his own, and which you must have therefore placed in his hands—or at least pro- mised to furnish for a particular purpose,” caution in respect to this second interview which must take place.” attended to.” THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. she could not possibly control. She had endea- voured to overawe the danseuse—to brow-beat her —to reduce her, in short, to that state of sub- mission in which it would be comparatively easy to dictate her own terms, instead of having terms dic- tated to herself. But in this aim she was frus- trated by the cool self-possession—we might almost say the impudent effrontery, of Mademoiselle D’Alembert: and therefore her ladyship perceived it to be necessary to go upon quite another tack. Lady Saxondale bit her lip with a vexation which Will you, in a few words,” she said, “tell me precisely what you demand? There need be no farther explanation between us in the form of pre- face or prelude. I am well aware—indeed I do not attempt to deny, that there is some foolish and absurd scandal existing against me in certain quarters; and unfortunately my own son has, in his natural thoughtlessness, given encouragement to it. It were easy for me to ridicule the scandal and scorn the scandalmongers; but the world is so wicked, that it is not always prudent to make light of such matters; and therefore, if your stipu- lations be at all reasonable, I do not know that J shall refuse to accede to them.” “IT require ten thousand pounds,” replied Emily Archer; “‘on which condition I will give up a certain dress that I have in my possession.” “Your terms are exceedingly high, Miss Archer,” responded Lady Saxondale: “although, as a matter of course, the sum you have named is but a trifling 1 one to me.” - cannot consent to bate one farthing; and indeed “Were you to hint at such a thing,” rejuin “Oh! in that case,” exclaimed the danseuse, “I your ladyship ought to be very much obliged to me fur not doubling the amount of my demand.” her ladyship, “I would close the negotiation at once. But se far as ten thousand pounds go, I will offer no objection. You have the dress wit you, you say.” “It isin the post-chaise which has b. ught me hither from Lincoln. My maid, who accompanied me, has it in charge.” “You must be wall aware, Miss Archer.” resumed Lady Saxondale, “that I have not so argea sum as ten thousand pounds in the castle at this moment.” “Your ladyship’s cheque upon your London banker will fully answer the pur pose,” observed the dansense. “That I cannot give. My bankers would be surprised at my drawing so large « draught in favour of a young lady engaged at the Opera. It would be immediately believed th + I was encourag- ing my son in a certain course to which I will no farther allude. To-morrow I can procure the money in notes and gold from my banke at Gainsborough; and therefore if you do not mind waiting in Linouln- shire until to-morrow evening—-—” “Oh! I have not the sligh est objection,” ex- claimed Ewily. “It will suit me well. I will return at once to Lincoln. Narpe your own hour, Lady Saxondale, when I can ypeot you here to- morrow.” “You cannot be surprised i* I adopt some pre ““Stipulate your own conditions; they shall be Guia, » oo aye OO)