The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 232: what you’re looking at

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

THN MYSTERIES. 04055 In the afternoon, a tall handsome-looking gen- tleman, enveloped in a cloak lined with sables, was walking, not exactly in a leisurely, but rather in an abstracted and mournful mood, along the street, —when he suddenly caught sight of the brass -plate. The neighbourhood was so familiar to him, that he was instantly awaro of this being @ new profes- sional arrival in the district: besides, the exterior of the house had just been repaired and improved, and he also remembered that it was for some time to lef until within a week or two past; so that all doubt was removed from his mind as to Mr. Thorston being a very recent settler in that fashion- able colony. Struck by some idea, which rapidly gained an fn- flaerce upon him, he fixed his eyes for a few mo- ments on the brass-plate—then walked on a few ;paces—then looked back again at the surgeon’s abode—and then pursued his way, but with every evidence of indecision and hesitation in his manner. He was wrestling with the thought that had flashed ‘to his mind, and which prompted him on the one hand to adopt a course whence shame and & deep ‘sense of humiliation deterred him on the other. At length, before he had gained the end of the street, he turned with the decision of a man who | bas abruptly resolved on taking a particular step, |skhough a disagreeable one ;—and, retracing his | path to the surgeon’s house, he knocked at the A domestic in a handsome livery immediately an- swered the summons, and inquired the visitor's name so that he might learn whether he were a | friend of the family or a patient, and might show | him into the drawing-room or the surgery-parlour accordingly. | “I wish to consult your master professionally,” was the reply, but unaccompanied with the an- nouncement of any name. | The domestie led the way through a fine marble | hall, to a carpetted passage communicating with the sargery-parlour,. which joined the surgery itself, , both being ag the back part of the house. The _ parlour was a small but elegantly fernished room, baring double doora alike at the entranoe from the | passage, and also on the side opening into the sur- gery—so that nothing which transpired within | those four walls. could be heard without. A cheer- fal fire blazed in the grate; and Mr. Thurston rose from a table where he had been engaged in writing, when the visitor was conducted into his presence. “Your name, sir said Mr, Thurston, preparing to inscribe in a new book the appellation of his first patient at the new abode. “It were a ridiculous affectation to conceal 1,” was the answer; “because I live at no very great distance, and because my rank would be certain to render you acquainted with my person in a short time. Nevertheless, it is in the strictest confidence, | snd relying on your honour, that I have come to ‘consult you upon an fimportant—an afflicting—a most delicate matter. I am:‘the Earl of Des- { Mr. Thurston wrote de wn the namé in his book and then said, “ Your lordship may trust me. J have no interest in betraying the confidence thus reposed in me—baut every possible reason to sus- pw it. Yoar lordship may likewise speak fear- lessly: not a word uttered in this room can be | heard without.” : : “T perceive that you have only recently settled in this neighbourhood,” observed the nobleman.; “and the recommendations of an influential friend may not prove a mean auxiliary to your own pro- fessional abilities. Those recommendations shall you have from me—that friend will I become.” “¥ most sincerely thank your lordship,” said Mr. Thurston: “but even without these kind—theso generous promises, I should not the less be faith- ful to any confidence which you may repose in me. ‘ * ° ' “ “Lady “Desbordugh and myself have dtr regular family physician,” continued the Earl: “but it happens that our surgeon has lately quitted the metropolis. Under these circumstanccs, therefore, you shall henceforth supply his plaee. Do not however think, Mr. Thurston,” he added emphati- cally, “that I am saying all this merely with a viet to bind you to my interests or appeal to a vulgar mercenary feeling. Such is not my inteation : I am incapable ef thus insulting you. But I wish you to understand that Ihave resolved to consult you in a certain matter—to entrust you with my sai secret—and to place the utmost reliance upon you, because we have hitherto been total strangers to each other—beoause you come into a new neigh- bourhood where some trifling amount of patronage may be usefal—and because——” “Because you believe that under any circum. stan@es, I aff more iikely t6 keep your lortiship’s secret tlidn an eftablishell practftioner who wastes half his time in idle chit-chat with those familiés at whose houses he is on an intimate footing. This is your lordship’s view,” added Mr. Thurston, in a decisive tone ;—* and it is a correetone. Iam not offended—I thank your lordship for that promise of patronage which I cordially aecept—and every way will I prove myself worthy of your lordship's favour and couftenance.” : “I am giad that you have put the matter thas frankly upon we Proper basis,” said the Earl: then drawing forth from parse a bank-note for five hundred pounds, he added, “This is your retain- ing fee.” Mr. Thurston bowed his thanks, and placed him- self in an attitude of deep attention. , “I must inform yon, sir,” résamed the Earl, his manner suddenly beeoming painfally embarrassed, “that I approach with the deepest humiliation— with the acutest sense of shame—the subject of my visit. Married for some years to a lady of extra- ordinary beauty and of the strictest virtue, but whose tempetament is naturally of an ardent, glow- ing, and impassionate nature—I-——But just hea- ven! bow can I induce my tongue to framé the confession ~~” And, suddenly starting from the seat which hie had taken on entering the room, the Ear! began to pace to and fro in the wildest agitation. Mr. Thurston said nothing: he was not intimate enough with the nobleman to venture upon words of consolation, although he more than half sus- pected the nature of the secret whieh was about to be revealed to him. . Suddenly checking his frantic walk up and down the surgery-pariour, the Earl laid his right hand heavily upon the surgeon’s shoulder—and bend- ing his head un¢ft his lips nearly touched Thurs- ton’s ears, he said in a thick, hoarse, and low voice, “Five thousand pounds are yours if you can give haere. oe — ee —P Ne ee COMGROO S COMM