The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 37: what you’re looking at

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yas re ee 24 THE MYSTEHIES OF TIIE COURT. ‘Oh! but there are fair Italian women as well as dark ones,” observed Saxondalo. “I have read ee inaboox. But whether Italiau or English, this Biguora Vivaldi is the most enchanting creature I evor saw in all my life—Lady Florina of course exvepted. And now, is it possible to get intro- duced to her ?” “You heard what we were told behind the ecenes at the Opera last night,” said Lord Harold ; “ that the Signora is the most discreet and virtuous of young ladies—that she is attended by an old duenna who looks as sour as vinegar, and screws up her face most ewfully if even an eye be too in- tently fixed upon her fair d that when at rehearsal the Signora keeps herself as aloof as siroumstances can possibly admit, from both the male and female performers in the ballet. Why, it seems to be even a secret known only to the leasee and the ballet-master where she lives ; and neither of them is at all likely to give the infor- znation.” “Oh! but her residence is easily found out,” exclaimed Edmund. “ When leaving the Opera, she must of a necessity ride home in a carriage, hackney-coach, or some kind of vehicle; and it will be easy enough to get a person to follow it.” ‘* Granted !” eaid Lord Harold. “ But when you have found out her place of abode, what course would you adopt? I donot think that from all wo heard last night she would give usa very gracious reception if we went boldly tocall upon her. Yet there are ways and means: and these must be thought of. In the first place I will instruct Alfred to endeavour to follow her from the theatre the next time she makes her a Alfred isa cunning, astute fellow, with all his sedateness of look and mealy-mouthiness of words; and he will be sure to discover the fair one's abode. This once done we can deliberate how to pro- ceed.” “TI was thinking,” remarked Saxondale, “whether if you were to draw me up some appro- priate little billet, I might not send it to her. By addressing it to the Opera it would be sure to reach her——” “ And be treated with contempt,” added Staun- ton. ‘ Yes—but whoever believed in the virtue of an actress or a dancing girl 2” exclaimed Saxon- dale, contemptuously. “ All rules havean exception ; and in this case our phoonix of beauty and mystery seems to con- stitute that exception. However I will do the best I can for you in the matter; and as a pre- Hminary, will set Alfred to discover her residence. We will then take measares accordingly. But now, my dear fellow, I want you to do me a little favour in your turn.” ‘“ Anything but in the money way,” replied Saxondale: “for Iam as hard up to-day as you can possibly be. Just before I came out I told my mother that I had nothing loft at the banker's, and desired her to esk my guardians for some cash : but she positively refused. So gave her my mind, and came off in high dudgeon. Now, ss for applying direct to my it’s out of the question; I should only get a good blowing up; and I can’t: talk to them in the same free and easy style as I do to my mother. They won't stand it.” “Lord Petersfield and Mr. Marlow—ere they not ?” inquired Harold. a 2 2) (== a AE os etree Gee A “Yea; those are my blessed a,” re- joined Saxondale : “and what with the surly old peer and the business-like lawyer, I have to deal with two confounded impracticable fellows. — The last time I applied to them they told me 1 had a splendid allowance for a young nobleman under age, and must make it do: but one's guardians always seem to think that an income mbich will barely supply shoe-leather is uncommon i ” “ This is very awkward,” said Lord Harold, both looking and feeling vexed: “for I am ia rather a mess at present — several creditors bothering me—and must get two or three thousand or so by some means or another. I | shouldn’t have thought of asking you, my Gear Edmund, considering that I am already yout debtor to the amount of a cool five thou- “ Oh, that be hanged!” ejaculated Saxondale. “You know if I had the money you should not be in want of it for another minute. Bat surely there must be some way of raising the wind ?” “Of course,” answered Lord Harold. “There are money-brokers, and bill-brokers, and dis- counters, and usurers enough in the Oity: but the dence of it is that Iam afraid my introduction wouldn't exactly do—I am in rather deep with them myself.” ‘© An ides strikes me!” ejaculated the youthim heir of Saxondale, his ignoble countenance suad- denly brightening “That old fellow Gun- thorpe-———” “ Ah, to be sure!” oried Lord Harold, catching at the hint: “he might be made useful. Let me seo—my uncle's letter says that Mr. Gunthorpe was for many years the most eminent banket in Italy, and now he is retired from business. De- pend upon it he's as rich as Crossus; and if we can only get on the blind side of him-———Bat that's dificult though, a banker and a sharp old fellow into the bargain! However, there is nothing like trying. So here goes.” With these words, Lord Harold jumped up, fetched his writing-deak from e aide-table, sat down, and penned the following lines upon the best : “TJ remain, my dear Mr. Gun “ Your's very faithfully, “H LD STAUNTON.” “Wow what do you think of that?” asked his lordship, as he handed the letter to young Sazon- dale for his perusal. ‘Nothing can be better,” was the response. “ You must give the old boy « capital dinner and plenty of wine; for he looks as if he loved good cheer and could teke his glass: and then, when we have once got him nicely warmed over the bottle, we will see whether we oan't manage to draw him of a few thousands.” “ On our joint secarity,” added Staunton. “ It will be capital! I really do begin to think we are pretty certain to succeed. These trading money- GORMGOOOKXS COMM