The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 47: what you’re looking at

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ee . _ 86 THE MYSTERIES OF THE OOURT. and not knowing how you might be situated in a financial point of view “A thousand thanks, Mr. Ashton,” responded Amy,—“ but I have sufficient for all my purposes. Though declining this generous offer, I am not the less sensible of your well-meant kindness—and I shall be for ever grateful.” Christian took his departure; and returning to the station, he proceeded by the next train to Lon- don. On his arrival in the British metropolis, he repaired straight to Mrs. Macaulay’s house in Mortimer Street, Cavendish Square; and Mrs. Manaulay in person opened the front door to re- ceive him. “Well, my dear Mr. Ashton, it is quite an age since I saw you!” exclaimed the lodging-house- keeper, with her blandest smiles and most amiable looks. “Where have you been for the last two months? But, dear me! how you are improving —and what a fine handsome young man you are growing! A lady of my age may pay you such a compliment, youknow. But pray walkin. Your room is all ready for your reception. I have got rid of that odious old couple who used to lock up their tea-caddy and decant their wine for them- selves. Would you believe it, Mr. Ashton P—they went away without 60 much as giving the maid a single shilling for herself; and they took off with them the leg and wing of a fowl which they had for the previous day’s dinner !” “ My room is ready for me, you say ?” exclaimed Christian in astonishment. “ Yes—to be sure!” responded Mrs. Macaulay. “Did not Mr. Redcliffe tell you in his letter ‘ “Ho merely told me that immediately on my arrival in London I was to come to him, and that I need not take up my abode previously at any tavern or lodging-house.” “To be sure not!” ejaculated Mrs. Macaulay. “And where was your shrewdness, my dear Mr. Ashton, when you failed to comprehend that Mr. Redcliffe meant you to take up your abode here? All is settled and arranged; and it was on your account I got rid of those odious Johnsons, with their meanness and stinginess! Ah, you have brought all your luggage with you? That’sright ! But, dear me! don’t think of paying the cabman till he has carried it up-steirs for you And mind, my man,” she added, addressing herself to the individual in question, “that you don’t knock the paper off the walls with the corner of that box. Now do walk in, Mr. Ashton.” “But where is Mr. Redcliffe?” inquired our “ Ho will be in presently to dinner—at six o’clock as usual. It is only half-past five—and you have therefore plenty of time for a little chat with me. By the bye, I and that odious Mrs. Sifkin are as inuch at daggers-drawn as ever, although I gave that magnificent party in token of our recon- ciliation. But she behaved infamously! She went and told Mrs. Wanklin, who told Mrs. Chowley which keeps the baby-linen warehouse in the Tot- tenham Court Road, that I should say that Mr. Hogben had told me that both the Mise Chowleys were setting their at Captain Bluff. But here is Mr. Redcliffe, I declare!—a good twenty minutes before his time |” Christian was not at all sorry that Mrs. Macau- ance of his friend,—at whose hands he received a most cordial welcome. Mrs, Macaulay was very anxious to have the paying of the cabman, with whom she would no doubt have got up a pleasant little dispute as to the amount of his fare: but Christian cut the matter short by slipping into the man’s hand a gratuity so liberal that it made him touch his hat to the donor, and then bestow a look of insolent triumph on Mrs. Macaulay, Christian accompanied Mr. Redcliffe to this gentleman’s sitting-room,—where dinner was speedily served up. Mr. Redcliffe conversed on general topics during the repast; and as he was evidently postponing his explanation of the rea- sons which had induced him to send for Christian to London, our bero did not think it proper to put any question on the point. Ono or two little cir. cumstances however struck him. From the very first moment of their acquaintance Mr. Redcliffe’s manner had been invariably friendly: but now it was most kind and even affectionate. He more- over contemplated Christian frequently and fixedly; and after those earnest surveys he would sink into a profound reverie. All this our young hero could not possibly fail to notice; and he therefore awaited the coming explanations with all the more eager curiosity. The repast was cleared away—the dessert and wine were placed upon the table—and Mr. Red. cliffe then questioned Christian as to all that he had been recently doing. There was something in, that gentleman’s manner which invited the fullest confidence ; and our hero accordingly revealed to Mr. Redcliffe his love for Isabella Vincent. He related everything which had occurred at Rams- gete; and having brought down the narrative to the point at which it is already known to the reader, he concluded in the following manner :— “Yesterday morning’s post brought Miss Vin- cent a lctter, containing the startling announce- ment that her cousin the Earl of Lascelles, and her aunt the Countess, had ceased to exist: so that all in a moment Isabella found herself the heiress of fine estates and immense wealth. When she had recovered from the shock which the intel. ligence of that fatal accident or double suicide— whichever it was—naturally caysed her to experi- ence, the amiable and faithful girl gave me to understand that if the sudden possession of wealth were a source of satisfaction, it was because it would in due time enable her to prove the sincerity of that love which she entertains for me.” “ My dear boy,” exclaimed Mr. Redoliffe, with a of excitement which was very unusual on his part, “I am rejoiced to learn that you have found one who is #0 eminently deserving of your own devoted love, and who experiences so true a senti- ment in return. But continue. What eles have you to tell me P” “The bridal of Sir Edgar Beverley and his beautiful Laura. was celebrated yesterday,” con- tinued our hero; “and soon after the ceremony they set off for London, where they purpose to pase the honeymoon. Isabella accompanied them. She could not journey alone; and, as a matter of course, it was not discreet for me to travel with her. She has gone to that mansion which she originally entered a few months back in a state of dependence upon her uncle——she bas gono to i¢ lay’s garrulity should be out short by the appears ' as its mistress!” . GDoo <S