The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 49: what you’re looking at

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

$6 HS MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. eres Ape RA Besides, this wine has got into my head; and eo, if at first expected: but om wo other hand, there ap- you will be good enough to send and order me a cab, I will take my leave.” “Well, if you insist I won't detain you,” ssid Lord Harold Staunton, ringing the bell: for the truth was that now he had got as much as he re- guired out of the old gentleman, at least for the pre- sent, he did not care how soon the said old gentle- man took his departure. “ But I say,” he observed, as a thought struck him, when he had issued in- structions to the footman who answered his sum- mons, relative to the cab, “if you happen to be writing to my uncle, you won't let him know any nee e have been saying or doing this even- “Why, is there any harm in it?” asked Mr. w “Oh, no!—no harm!” replied Harold: “ only it’s just as well to avoid touching upon such matters. You see, the Marquis is a precious eccentric old fool, and might put a very different construction on things from what they really out to bear.” not possibly bring himeelf to mention the vulgar name of oad, he, with much delicate for announced that “the conveyance was at the door.” “Well, good evening, my lords,” said Mr. Gun- thorpe, shaking them both with such violence by the hand that they very nearly cried out. “I am much indebted to you for your hospitality. It is an evening which I shall not forget in a hurry; and I hope that time will show how I’can appreciate your conduct.” “Good nighf, old fellow,” said Lord Saxondale. “You are a regular trump after all.” “It makes me proud to think that I have your Jordahip’s good opinion,” answered the retired banker with a low bow. “ Now, when are we to mect again,” asked Lord Harold, “to begin putting into force the various things we have been talking about ?” “I will write to your lordship to-morrow—from the Bell and Orown,” answered Mr. Gunthorpe: room & trifle more steadily than the young noble- men thought he would be enabled to do. And then this same mean old who had guarrelled with the cabman for his fare and insisted upon having twopence change, dropt a guinea inte the hand of the tall stiff footman who held the front omens ad Ghetanleuiiy wollte &a ponivie shenten moment as obsequicusl ite as possible—handed Jar. Ganthorpe into the vehiclo—and having ascer- tamed the place of destination, felt himself by no means shocked at having to baw! out, “All right, eabman! Bel and Crown, Holborn !” Lord Harold Staunton and Lord Saxondale knew ‘mot exactly what tc think of their friend Mr. Gun- _ thorpe. The five thousand pound cheque seemed certainly an evidence that he was by no means the keen, cautious, and sharp-witted individual they had > Gat Wh © Gaede ® eae ee EEE onte2 ED peared to have been a slightly perceptible under current of sarcasm in many of the observations he had -made. However, the two young aristocrats came to the conclusion that though sharp in one sense, he was “green” enough in others; and that he was most anxious to become introduced to the sphere of fashion. On the following morning, long before Lord Harold had risen, a letter was delivered at his lodgings; and when he perused it, he found the contents to run thus :— ‘¢ Beli and Crown, Holbora. ‘¢ My dear Lord Harold, “ Having various kind perfmed atmosp : Mr. Sauffiey’s idea of an estate will come up to the stand- ard of my ambition; and anti] I succeed in one, I feel too comfortable at the Bell and Crown to ren- der it necessary to change my quarters to a West-End hotel. As for a drag or trap, I am of opinion that 5 coach-builder in Long Acre may be safely entrusted with the order, and until it is completed I shall doubtless find the omnibuses commodious enough for my purposes. In respect to horses, the hostler of the Bell and Cfown is an excellent judge, and will put me in the way of getting what I want. Relative toan Opers-box, I am not formed to shine in one ; and being conscious of my‘own defects, do not wish to make myself ridiculous. As fore mistress, with which fashionable sppurtenance your lordship se generously offered to supply me, I do not wish to deprive you of your own, nor’ yet have to support one for the benefit of my noble friends. With regard to presenta- tion at Court, I am too mach occupied with Snuffley for the present to think of kicking my heels at St. James's. The Baronetcy, which your lordship volunteered to ob- tain for me, will be quite in time when I reach the rank of Lord Mayor of London, or something of that sort. Lastly, in respect to s wife, I should be traly sorry to deprive your lordship of the chance of obtaining the fair hand of the Dowager-Countess, or hooking the splendid Baroness with £28000 a-year. _ ¢¢ J remain, my dear Lord Harold, * Your most obliged and obedient Servant, “JONATHAN GUNTHORPE.” Lord Harold Staunton was at first inclined to be angry on reading this letter: but as he glanced over it a second time, he could not help bursting out into a h,—which had scarcely subsided when his friend Lord Saxondale made his appearance. ‘Well, after all,” exclaimed Harold, “the old fellow saw through us completely. Here, read this letter! The sarcasm that marks it is beyond mis- take.” But why on earth did he lend you the money —” cried Saxondale, when he had perused the letter which his friend handed to him. “Oh! I suppose merely through purse-proud vanity,” was the “But after all, it is perhaps just as well that we should be quit of him: for it would have been a horrid bore to introduce such a comical old blade as that to our frionds. So let us think only of enjoying ourselves with his money, and leave him in peace to his boiled beef and bitter ale at the Bell and Crown.” @upsu== ERED IOP CELA Ce cians ate iiinied CONNEC MOO SS COMM