The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 199: what you’re looking at

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188 and the brothers-in-law to be left alone together. For some little while Viscount Rushhrook went on drinking, not merely with the air of one who was much attached to wine, but likewise with that of a person who was priming himself, so to speak, in order to enter upon the subject which, despite his natural self-sufficiency, he had some little diffi- dence in approaching. He was moreover casting about for an opportunity to enter upon it; and this opportunity Sir Frederick Latham did not appear inclined spontaneously to furnish, nor to assist in developing. Indeed, the great merchant seemed as if he had forgotten that part of the Viscount’s letter which had alluded to impor- tant business: he went on talking on general topics, as if there were no special one to be brought upon the tapis;—and to the young nobleman it was with a most provoking indifference that Sir Frederick told him how long this particular wine had been in bottle, and by what a lucky chance he bad got possession of that other sort—and how he intended to make such-and-such improvements in his grounds—and how much his firm hoped to gain from the great foreign loan which they bad just contracted for and taken. “‘ Confound this fellow!” thought the Viscount within himself : “ho is only doing this to humiliate me. He won’t help me to come to the point: he means me to open the subject deliberately and methodically, without letting me gradually glide into it! This is the cursed pride uf purse, which humbles our patrician pride of birth! By heaven, how I hate him !” As he mentally made this last ejeculation, Vis- count Rushbrook held up a bumper of port to- wards the brilliant chandelier suspended over-head, as if it were to examine its colour: but he was really the while eyeing the merchant askance, and studying his countenance to ascertain whether its expression afforded a hope that the favour he was presently to solicit would be granted. But how mn- ecrutable was that countenance,—with its calmness, half cold, half self-sufficient—and with a certain gloss of dignity over all! Sir Frederick knew that the Viscount was looking at him—but af. fected not to have the slightest idea of it. He could read, too, all that was passing in Robert’s mind : but he afforded not the faintest indication that such was the case. At length Anastatia’s brother fancied himself sufficiently primed—which indeed he must have been, if a couple of bottles of wine could accomplish such priming: but still he was very far from being intoxicated. “Ah! by the bye, Sir Frederick,” he said, “ did you happen to notice that little sentence in my letter where I intimated that I had a matter of importance to submit to you P” “I did note it,” answered the merchant, with business-like precision. ‘“ I never fail to observe and I never forget any announcement which ap- pears to be stamped with a serious meaning.” * Ah, well—that’s all right!” exclaimed the Viscount. “I was afraid you had lost sight of the thing.” Sir Frederick Latham e small quantity of wine into his own glass—for he was habitually temperate : but he said not another syllable in re- sponse. “The fact is,” continued the Viscount, first sip- ping his wine, and then pleying with his silver THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. fruit-knife, “I amin a little trouble at this mo- ment I don’t mean trouble exactly, because I know that’s a term which frightens you City gen- tlemen: but what I mean is that such a thing as a couple of thousand pounds would be of the very greatest service to me. I should know how to use it-——.” “No doubt, my lord,” said the merchant: “everybody knows how to make use of a couple of thousand pounds— especially in these times when no one ought to seés-use money.” “Just so,” said the Viscount: “ precisely my idea !"—and again he filled his glass—again he fidgeted with the silver fruit-knife—while in the depths of his heart he thought to himeelf, “ Per- dition take the cold-blooded fellow ! he will make me put the question point blank to him, so that he may have the prideful satisfaction of giving a point-blank yes, or the malignant satisfaction of giving as direct a #0.” There was a pause, during which Sir Frederick Latham sipped his wine with the most provoking composure; and Viscount Rushbrook grew more and more embarrassed, confused, and annoyed. “Well, about this little business of mine,” he said, at length mustering up his anew. “It’s only a couple of thousand pounds—TI don’t exactly know when I oan repay it—but of course I would give my bond——and if you, my dear Sir Frederick, would put me in the way of raising it amongst any of your friends——” “My lord,” interrupted the merchant, with ap almost chilling dignity, “I have no money-lenders amongst my friends nor acquaintances——for I ‘never borrow.” “To be sure not!” ejaculated the Viscount, affecting to laugh: “that would be too ridicalous! ‘—a firm that can lend millions to a foreign Go- vernment to borrow at home! No, no!—I didn’t mean that! But I was only thinking that per- haps you could put me in the way of raising this cursed little sam—for I cannot think of asking you for such a favour, after all that you have at different times done for me-——” “Now listen, Lord Rushbrook,” interrupted ir Frederick Latham, settling himself in a business- like manner in his chair, and speaking with a dig- nified sententiousness. “ You want two thousand pounds: and what is more—you want m® to give you that money P” “GiveP Ob, no, no!” ejaculated the Viscount. “J mean iend——” “ Give, I repeat,” continued the merchant, with aslight emphasis on the word: for it was rather his look than his voice which rendered that word impressive when thus reiterated. “Well, my lord, you shall have this amount——” ‘* My dear Sir Frederick ! ’pon my soul, I hardly know how to express myself! You're a true brother-in-law—— “ And you. likewise,” added Sir Frederick. “I told your sister so just now in the drawing-room. But I beg that you will listen to me; for it is ab- solutely necessary we should have some serious conversation———”” “To be sure! This wine's excellent,” exclaimed the Viscount: “I could sit and talk over it all night !"” “You will not think i¢ amiss,” resumed the merchant, whose lips for a moment expressed. COMIC DOG {CO