The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 35: what you’re looking at

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heard that ominous announcement of the Bell and Crown, Holborn; and the mischievous pleasure which young Saxondale evidently derived from the circumstance, only increased Lord Harold's vexation and confusion. “Where did you say, my dear sir?” asked Saxondale with an impudent leer; “for I don’t think her ladyship,” alluding to Florina, ‘‘under- ou.” “ Imleed, but I did, perfectly well,” said the amiable young lady, endeavouring to make up by an inoreased affability for the rudeness with which the old gentleman was being treated : “ and I shall not forget the address, so as not only to remind my brother that he is to call upon you, Mr. Guothorpe, but also that my aunt Ledy Macdonald may write and ask you to come and dine with us.” ‘ But where is Holborn ?” asked Lord Saxon- dale. “At the West End here, we know nothing of those regions.” “TI thank your ladyship for your kindness,” said Mr. Gunthorpe, not taking the slightest notice of theimpertinent young aristocrat, nor yet appear- ing the least abashed by the supercilious treat- ment he received. “I shall be delighted to form the acquaintance of Lady Macdonald :”—then turning towards Harold, he said, “When your lordship honours me with a call, perhaps it will be before twelve, as I havea great deal of business in the City, and shall be engaged there every day from noon till five.” “* Before twelve ?” echoed Lord Harold Staun- ton, again rendered quite aghast. “Mr. Gun- thorpe, you must pardon me—but I—I—am not up, usually speaking, at that hour.” “Oh! well then, I must endeavour to make an arrangement more suited to your convenience,” said the old gentleman. “But I will let you know.” He then bowed once more, and hastened away from the box. “ Well, wasn't I right?” exclaimed Saxondale. . o you ever see such a figure of fun in all your life “ Your lordship should remember,” said Florina, in a tone of firm rebuke, “that Mr. Gunthorpe is a friend of my uncle’s. Besides, he is an old gentleman, and should be treated with respect. _ Look!” she added, handing Edmund the letter which was addressed to herself and over which she had just glanced her eyes. “ You see what my uncle says.” Lord Saxondale took the letter, the laconie con- tente of which were as follows :— “ Naples, May 23rd, 1844. “My dear P y niece, “The bearer of this ie my intimate friend Mr. Gun- thorpe who for many reo been the most consider- able English banker In Naples. He has now retired from business, and is returning to England. I know that you will show him every becoming sttention. “ Your affectionate uncle, “EAGLED “The letter addressed to me is as near as pos- sible to the same effect,” observed Lord Harold, reading over Saxondale’s shoulder the one just quoted. ‘But really, to think that I can show any studied attentions to this Mr. Gunthorpe——” His words were interrupted by a sudden burst of applause which shook the entire house; and all eyes were in 3 moment directed to the stage THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. on which the debudante had just made her appear- ance. She was a heavenly creature, of sylphid form, airy lightness, and exquisite: grace; and her beauty was of the most ravishing description. But it is not our intention to prolong this chapter by a description of Signora Vivaldi; inasmuch as we shall shortly have to introduce her more par- ticularly to our readers, and shall then do ample justice to her rare attractions. For the present it will be sufficient to observe that her debed was eminently successful, and that her dancing was the most finished illustration of “the poetry of motion ” ever exhibited upon the stage. When the performance was over, the brilliant assembly began to melt away: and during half- an-hour the Haymarket and Pall Mali resounded with the cries of men summoning the different carriages. Hundreds of the proudest names of the British Aristocracy were thus vociferated forth in rapid succession ; while the roll of wheels, the trampling of horses, the crashing of steps let up and down, and the of carriage-doors likewise mingied their sounds in one tremendous din. But at length the throng of equipages, with their prancing steeds and glaring lights, dispersed in all directions ; and amongst the last that thus rolled away, was that which bore Lord Harold Staunton's party from the doors of the Opera. CHAPTER VI. THE NOBLE INTIMATES. Ox the following Monday, at about noon, Lord Harold Staunton's valet knocked gently at the door of his master's bedroom; and in meek reply to the demand, “Who the deuce is that?” ventured to intimate that it was ten minutes past twelve o'clock. Thereupon Lord Harold bade his domestic enter; and sitting up in bed, he vawned fearfully, observing, “‘ Pon my soul, it doesn’t seem es if I had slept an hour! Are you eure it is ao late, Alfred ?” ‘Quite sure, my lord,” was the answer given by the valet, who was a man of abont thirty,— bustling, active, and yet doing his business in that easy and quiet way which showed his ex- perience in the position which he filled. “ Any letters, Alfred ?” asked Lord Harold. The valet produced several; and the young nobleman, still sitting up in bed, began to open them one after another with the aristocratic languor which was partly affected and partly arising from the influence of late hours. “ These letters,” he observed, musing audibly, “may be divided into two distinct classes—the invitations and the dunning ones; and I am not sure but that the last predominate. It Alfred, that some of my tradesmen are getting rather pressing-and impertinent.” “ They certainly do not know how to behave themselves, my lord,” retarned the valet, as he arranged his noble master’s shaving apparatus, hair-brushes, oils, pomatums, scenta, and other requisites upon the toilet-table. “Don’t you think, Alfred, that my old uncle the Marquis ought to be ashamed of himeelf?” said Lord Harold, throwing himeelf lazily back again upon the pillow. ‘ Was there ever guch a thing heard of before, as a nobleman with sume CONNEC MOO SS (COUN