The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 382: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 871 know what to think. In short, we resolved to consult your lordship in this most delicate and un- pleasant matter. Heaven forbid that I,” Mr. Mal- ton went on to say, “‘should lend myself to un- tain a personal intervicw—you might, with that delicacy and tact which your lordship knows eo well how to use, induce her ladyship to empower Marlow and myself to compromise this matter.” “TI cannot possibly give an immediate answer,” eaid the nobleman. “It requires deliberation —it is something to be pondered upon : I could not under- take anything rash——” “But the affair is urgent, my lord,” said Mr. Malton. “In two or three days, unless we are pre- pared to do something, Mr. , Gunthorpe’s attorney will commence proceedin ** Well, my dear eir, T aust take the rest of this dey to consider the matter,” rejoined Lord Peters- field; “and I will let you know to-morrow. If I decide upon proceeding into Lincolnshire——” “You will in that case,” added Malton, wishing had | to nail the nobleman to this particular course, “ start tion—a mask—an hypocrisy—a deceit? Besides, did not Lord Petersfield himestt know enough of | the aware than myself—frequently go to law with the confident hope that everything which is really dam- matory to themselves ie unknown to their oppo- nents.” « Just on, my lord,” said Mr. Malton: “and thea, when it all comes out, and they find themselves over- whelmed with diegrace and confusion, they bitterly regret their folly in having persevered with law. I was thinking that if your lordship would only write & pressing letter to Lady Saxondale—or what would be much better, pruveed into Lincolnshire and ob. | to-morrow morning ?’ “Start, Mr. Malton * observed the diplomatist, looking very grave and very suspicious. “I never start. I never do anything in a hurry. I do not start, as you term it: I take my “I beg your lordship’s pardon for having used so improper a term,” said the lawyer: “ I will be more guarded in future.” At this moment the footman entered, bearing a lange ofical-looking packet with an enormous veal. Lord Petersfield took it from the silver salver on which it was presented—placed it solemnly before him—and waited until the servant hed withdrawn before he broke the seal. Then he opened the de- spatch—looked slowly round the room to convince himself that there was nobody but Malton present with him—and lastly fixed his eyes upon the lawyer Rene ee a ee aeeee in tehe wae edne was not prepared to take any undue sdrenuage of the peoke being opened in his pre- sence. Malton y understood what was pass- sphere | ing in the mind of the cautious diplomatiet; and he could not help smiling as he rose to take his leave. But the nobleman bade him remain for a few minutes until he had examined the despatch: Mr. Malton accordingly resumed hie seat, while Lord Petersfield slowly and sulemnly perused the contents of the document he had just received. Having done this, he folded it up again—placed it in the envelope —tied a piece of red tape round the packet—and then deliberately endorsed it with the day of the month and the very hour at which he had re- ceived it. “Tt is as I thought,” said his lordship, “when [ begged you to remain. I have just received an an- nouneement———and when I tell you this, Malton, | it is with the deliberate conviction that I am justi- fied in se telling you——that I cannot possibly prv- ceed into Lincolnshire. All I can do, is to write to Lady Saxondale. Her Majesty's Mmusters, hav- ing every confidence in my ability, caution, and wariness, have selected me for a special nrission to the Imperial Court of Vienna. It is not altogether —I think I may go so far ae to state that I did positively expect #——” Agein the door opened; and the footman said, “Please your lordehip, Lord Saxundale requeste 6 fow minutes’ interview with your lordship.” “Let Lord Sanondale be introduced,” said the nobleman. “Well, you ses,” exclaimed Edmund, ae he oe» Ta ere, ey epee cle, +r TG) COMIC LOO