The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 216: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES. Three measured and solemn knecks were given a the reem-deor, as if a ghost were abou wo enter. “ inf exclaimed Meagies, instantly put- dag on a demure aspeot—a ing in which be was imitated by the benutifal huntress, at least @ far ws she could induce her lovely, laughing, joyous features to assume a serious expression. The door was thrown wide open—and the Rav. Mr. Nathaniel Sneaksby entered the apartment with slow aad sunctimonicus face, followed hy one of the slock-looking men whom Tim Meagies had seen mt the door of Salem Chapet. Bat while these two pious individuals are settling themesives im the chairs which Meagles hastens to place near the table for their accommodation, we ‘will just say & word respecting their external ap- pearance. The Rev. Mr. Nathaniel Sneaksby was 4 man of abeut five-aad-forty years of age. The crown of bis head was bald: but dark frizzy hair stood eat in a bunch, on each side, between the temple and the ear. Behind it was cut very short indeed, end lay quite flat and straight. His countenance was thin, pale, and somewhat of the hatchet de- seription : but it would not have been disagreeable were it not for the settled expression of sanctimo- pious gloom and melancholy demureness which it wore. For caat was written in every lineament and en every feature as plainly as the word may be read on this page: carxé was seen in the rolling of the eyes—the gradual elevation and depression of the brows—the pursing-up of the lips—the elongation of the chin—the slow and studied movements of the head. Yes—and cant, too, was recognised in the low white cravat that encircled the long, scraggy neck—the large shirt-frill—the clerical cut of the bleck coat and waistcoat with stand-up collars— and the knee breeches, bluish-black cotton stock- ings, and the great shoes with silver buckles, In person Mr. Nathaniel Sneaksby was tall, thin, and slightly inclined to a stoop; and were it not for the measured pace at which he was aceustomed to walk, his gait would have been shambling and awkward to a degree. The individual who accompanied him, was dressed ia precisely the same manner: but in person he was very different. . Short, thick-set, stout, and with a large, round, rubicund countenance, he pre- susied a somewhat sleek, oily, and comfortable Sppeerence in comparison with his friend—save that the habitual assumption of a demure expres- sien of feaatares would have Jed,a stranger to believe thata naturally jovial and coutented disposition had been marred and rendered wretched by some sudden affliction which had lingered ever since in ‘the shape of a deeply-seated and unappeasable woe. In a word, he looked like a jolly landjord fond ef good ale, who having drunk himself into ineclvancy was compelied to adopt the profession of undertaker’s mute and moisten his food with nothing better than water. Not that such was really the case in the present instance: but such, we say, was the impression his aspect would have wade upon the mind of any one who saw him for the first time. had Mr. Sneaksby and his friend taken their scatea, when their looks fell simultaneously spon Lady Lade, who was surveying them from the soruer of her laughing eyes, and gently puffing the 196 cigarette with the lips which could not altogether suppress a smile. The Rev. Mr. Sneaksby seemed petritied with sudden astonishment—and his friend appeared pte- cisely in the same predicament. For upwards ef a minute did they gare, open-mouthed, upen the lovely ereature lounging with graceful negtizenee in her chair. At the first glance they fancied it was a young and dandified man with his hair dressed in a feminine style: but as their looks wandered over the beautiful white forehead with its transparent tracery of azure veins faintly marked —the profile too delicate for the male sex—the brightness of the rich moist coral lips—the total absence of beard and whisker—the fairness of the | complexion—and the glossy silkiness of that raven hair,—as their eyes, we say, embraced gl! these fas- cinating details one after another, they began to entertain sore misgivings;—and when their looks settled upon the exuberant and swelling contours of the full bosom over which the riding-surtout fitted with such shapely tightness, developing rather than concealing those feminine charme of which the Amazon possessed such a voluptuous abundance, their faces gradually elongated to a degree pre- senting the most ludicrous aspect of woe-begone sanctimoniousness and hypocritical misery. | “Nathaniel Sneaksby,” said the short gentleman, at length recovering the power of speech, and raising his eyes and lifting his hands as if he were going off in a fit, “know ye aught of that carnal creature ?” “Verily, my dearly-beloved Ichabod Paxwax, she seemeth to me like the woman of Babylon,” responded the reverend gentleman, imitating his friend in respect to the elevation of the eyes and hands. Zhereapon both Tim Meagles and the huntress burst into a hearty laugh: for, so far from being offended at the observations just made, they had expected something of the kind and were highly amused at what they did hear. “Brother Sneaksby, let us depart hence,” said the gentleman whose name appeared to be Ichabod Paxwax; “for I fear that we have fallen in with the ungodly.” “It is precisely for that reason we must stay and do our hely behest,” retarned the reverend minister. “ Peradventure we may be enabled, by our savoury discourse, to render thaé lost ene sensible of her evil ways: for she is comely to look upon, and it were 4 sorrow and a shame to abandon her to the vanities by which she is encompassed round about.” “We will stay, then,” said Mr. Ichabed Paxwax, with whom Mr. Sneaksby’s will was evidently law. “Now, gentlemen,” exclaimed Meaglese, “if you are really desirous that your presence should work salutary effecta witb regard to myself and my fair companion, you will aceept such humble hospi- tality as I can offer you. There’s Port, Sherry, and Madeira upon the table—and at tea o'clock there's roast turkey, chine, mashed potatoes, and 80 on.” “ Flesh-pots ! ” exclaimed the Rev. Mr. Sneaksby, shaking his head solemnly, but unable to prevent his lips from smacking slightly—for his nose had caught the rich odour which came wp frem the kitchen as he was ere now descending the etaire. “Vanities!” murmured Mr. Ichabod Paxwax, his own lips watering amazingly and a hungry sensation coming over him. COMGLOO S COMM