The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 77: what you’re looking at

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Eee» 66 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. his eyes riveted with a peculiar significancy upon Stanhope, as if endeavouring to foreshadow by his looks that farther elucidation of his purpose which he hardly knew how to shape in words. For even when villain is talking to villain there is a height of villany which embarrasses the one how to pro- pose it in all its hideous details to the other. The lustre of the lamp shone full upon the countenance of Marchmont: a few minutes back it had been flushed with wine—but now it was very pale; and it wore so sinister an expression that Redcliffe shuddered, and could even have groaned in his horror, were he not sensible of the necessity of keeping on his guard, and were he not likewise thoroughly master of his feelings and emotions, “So many thousands of pounds!” said Sten- hope, at length breaking that long silence, and speaking as if he were still in a state of wondering incredulity. “ Why, my lord,” he added in a wice that became suddenly hoarse,“ it can be little short of murder that you wish me to do at such a price and for such a reward !”” “ And if it were,”’ said the Duke, in @ tone that was scarcely audible to Mr. Redcliffe at the case- ment,—“ would you ” “‘Would I undertake it ?———But this is ridica- lous!” ejaculated Mr. 8 pe. “Your Grace is playing s part—heaven knows for what pur- pose !—or else you are joking. And let me tell you that the jeet is a very sorry one !”’ “ And if I were sot joking,” said the Duke,— “if I were serious——” “Then I should say,” rejoined Stanhope quickly, “that having got hold of a man whoee circum- stances weresthe other day desperate, and may acon become desperate again—you are holding out to him such a temptation——But, pshaw! you do mot mean it !” “I tell you that I mean is,” answered the Duke, with the air of a man who was suddenly resolved to beat about the bush no longer, “ but to come to the point.” “You mean it #” gaid Stanhope: and then there was another long pause, during whioh they eyed each other with thaé significancgy which charac- terizes villany when coming to am understanding with villany. “Now listen to me,” resumed the Dake of Marchmont. “We are speaking within four walls; and I know it is impossible there can be any one to overhear us. If you fall into my views, and well: but if you think to draw forth oxpla- nations from my lips in order that, without ex cuting my purpose, you may henceforth exercise 6 power over me,—you will be mistaken! For were you perfidiously to breathe a syllable in betrayal of what is now taking place, I should indignantly deny it: and who would believe your word against that of the Duke of Marchmontf? You see that I am speaking candidly, Stanhope— because candour be under the circumstances.” “T do not find fault with your Grace for thus acting,” answered Stanhope; “and now at least I know that you are serious. Proceed, my lord: there can be no harm done in giving your expla- nations.” “They are brief,” responded the Duke; “ and not many minutes need elapse ere you will have to come to a decision. There is a certain woman " -———a@ lady I ought to call her——who by some means has mixed herself up most unpleasantly in certain affairs of mine. She may mean nothing more than what she has hitherto done: or, on the other hand, sho may mean a great deal more and is only biding her time. I have every reason to apprebend that this latter supposition is the true one :—therefore am I desirous———TIn plain terms, Stanhope, this woman is an enemy whom—whom I must———Perdition seise it! Let the words be spoken !——-whom I must remove from my path. Ask me not for further explanations: but say— and say quickly, Stanhope—to what extent I may count upon your assistance P” “Now, look you, my lord,” said Wilson Stan- hope. “Asto whether I will do this or anything else for such a sum as fifteen thousand pounds— mark! you have said fifteen thousand pounds !— is @ question speedily settled. I will. But in saying this, I can of course only speak condi- tionally. If there is very much risk—so much that one’s neck must approach uncomfortably nesr a halter~—I should think it is a venture on which you could scarcely expect me to embark. There- fore when I say I will do it, it is in the belief that you have already devised some plan which you merely require me to carry out.” “JT have,” answered the Duke of Marchmont. “The lady of whom I am speaking, frequently walks in ber garden in the cool of the evening ; and although we are now entering upon the autumnal month of September, yet I know that she still continues her rambles in that garden, ap- perens'y absorbed in reverie, even after the dusk closed in. Sometimes she is accompanied by a young who lives with her—at other times she is attended by a female servant: but occasionally she is alone. Of this I am assured: for during the last fortnight I have frequently watched in that neighbourhood.” Proceed, my lord,” said Stanhope, refilling his “6 $e for you to seise an opportunity when she is alone,” continued the Duke of Marchmont: “there are approaches to her residence by which you may steal thither unperceived ——”’ “Stop, my lord|” said Wilson Stanhope: “all this is very woll—and I comprehend you easily enough. A dagger or a pistol would rid you of this female enemy of your's. Bat what about the reward P If once the deed is done, what guarantce have I that my recompense is forthooming? Will you give it me firet of all ?” “ First of all?” echoed the Duke. “And then weak guarantee have I that you will perform your part 7” . “Now your Grace sees the difficulty,” coolly re- marked Wilson Stanbope. “In plain terms, we cannot trust each other. You will not give me the reward beforehand: and I wiil not undertake the business without the prepayment of the re- ward. Suppose that I did—and suppose the deed to be done: I come to your Grace—yuu assume the indignant—you play the virtuous—you repu- diate me—and what redress have I? To threaten in such a dase would be foolish: your lordship would laugh at my threats! As for carrying them out, it would be madness; because on my part it would be giving my neck to a halter, with only the remote chance that you would swing next to me on the same gibbet.” lIDOOKKS co