The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 89: what you’re looking at

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78 shrieked forth Linda : “ but I must tell the truth !”’ —then falling on ber knees at Captain Cartwright’s feet, she said, “ Yos—it is so Alas! that I must eonfess iti But deal mercifully with hAém—he has treated me well_—”" * Bnough,” said the Captain, giving a terrific twirl to his moustache. “ Rise, Linda, and qom- pose yourself. You at least have made by this con- fession all the atonement that was in your power ; aud though henceforth everything is at an end be- tween us———”’ Captain Cartwright stopped short; and tarn- ing abruptly round, seemed to be wiping away his tears with a scented cambric handkerchief. Linda rose from her knees; and not daring to throw a single glance upon Mr. White Choker, she sank on a chair apparently convulsed with grief. As for the saint himeelf, he stood the very picture of wretchedness and misery: but yet there was something ludicrous in the expression of his woe-begone countenance. o “Sir.” said Captam Carteright, advancing to- wards him, “what reparation can you make me for having torn an angel from my arms?” _& My good friend—my very dear friend,” fal- tered the saint, “I—I—don’t think you could have missed the angel very much—soeeing that she has long been absent from your arms——” * She would have come back, esir—and I should have received her were she not thus polluted! Bat enough of this trifling,” ejaculated the Cap- tain, with a fierce sternnoss. “Will you dare deny any longer that this lady—my wife—is your mistress? Come, sir, speak out, or by heaven ” . “ Pray, pray don’t use any violence,” implored the wretched Mr. White Choker. “ I—I confess that appearances are against me: but-—but—for the sake of my family, whom I have brought up as savoury vessels, having the fear of the Lord before their eyes 7 “Sir, I myself am a Christian,” interrupted Captain Cartwright, “and I can forgive so far as forgiveness be possible. But you must confess, sir ———”” ‘Well, well, I confess—and—and—if five hun- dred or a thousand pounds—will—will—hbush up this little matter-and make all things plea- sant———” At that moment footeteps were heard coming from the landing: an individual, with an air of jaunty self-safficiency, and very gaily dressed, made his appearance, the door having continued ajar the whole time. Mr. White Choker was now perfectly aghast: for the conviction smote him that a witness had overhoard everything that had taken place; and he might have been knocked down with a straw when Captain Oartwright said, “This, sir, is Mr. Downy, a member of the legal firm of which I have spoken.” Mr. Downy closed the door; and seating him- self at the table, drew forth a bundle of papers, tied round with red tape, and of that ominous length, fold, and general eppearanoce, which seemed to indicate that all the moral tortures of the law might be wielded at thediscretion of this gentle- man. “A very painful business, Mr. Choker—a very painful business,” said Mr. Downy. “Sorry to be compelled to serve process on a pious gentleman THE MYSTERIES OF THE OOURT. like yourself. But it can’t be helped. If sainte will be sinners, you know—ha! ha!—they must take the consequences. let me see,” continued the legal gentleman, as he proceeded to fill up a long slip of parchment and then arranged a cor- ing slip of ordinary paper to be likewise “'Here’s the original—and here’s the copy. Damages five thousand—eh, Captain ?” “Not a farthing less, sir!” responded Cart- wright fiercely, as if he were offended that there could even he a doubt as to the price that he put upon the angel he had lost. } “Very yood, Captain,” said Mr. Downy: * damages five thousand. You hear, Mr. Choker? I keep the original: where shall I serve the copy ? Will you take it? or will you refer me to your solicitors? or shall I just leave it at your own house as I pass by the door presently? It will be no trouble: I will give it into Mrs. Choker’s own hand—and none of the servants will know anything about it. The trial will come on in No- vember—Court of Common Pleas. Ah! i¢ will be @ rare excitement, as sure as my name is honcet Ike——-I mean Downy.” The reader may conceive the awful state of mind into which Mr. White Choker was thrown by these terrible proceedings. Five thousand pounds damagese—a writ ready drawn out—and the whole affair certain to obtain a fearful pub- licity in the course of the day! The miserable saint looked at Mr. Downy, but beheld not the least eneouragement in the insolently leering ex- pression of his countenance. He looked at the Captain: but this gallant officer of Hussars was twirling: his fierce moustache with the sternest resoluteness of purpose. He looked towards Linda : but that fallen angel whose departed virtue was appraised at five thousand pounds, was still covering her features with her hands and sobbing convulsively. Mr. White Choker turned up his eyes to the ceiling, and gave vent to a hollow groan. Mr. Downy, approaching him with an air of jaunty familiarity, held the ominous copy of the writ between his finger and thumb: and as if suddenly recollecting something, he said, “ By the bye, there will be one witness we shall want— and perhaps, Mr. Choker, you would have no ob- jection to give me his address———-I mean Mr. Snufflenoee.” This was the crowning stone of the entire fabric of Mr. White Choker’s misery. Snafflenoee of all persons, as a witness against him! He was now desperate. Clutching Mr. Downy by the lappel of his coat, he dragged him aside,—hastily whis- pering with nervous agitation, “For heaven's sake ot this settled! Pray save me from exposure— could not survive it. I¢ would be my death! Only conceive, a man in my position to be dragged before a tribunal! Talk to the Captain—offer him & sum—implore him to be reasonable———” “ Look you here, Mr. Choker,” said Mr. Downy, drawing the:saint into a window-recess: “I am not a harsh man—and our firm is above pressing on a case for mere paltry costs. You will do well to settle it: for it is a terrible black affair—beate ‘Higgins oersus Wiggins’ all to smashes, and ‘ Biggins versus Sniggins’ all to shivers. Come, ou’re pretty warm—hba! ha! ha!—warm in two ways,” chuckled Mr. Downy, who seemed of a jocular disposition; “warm in love and warm in r filled up. DOO <S co lin