The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 341: what you’re looking at

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

326 But in spite of the seeming air of indifference with which they continyed to attack the copious fare set before them, it had been evident to the nobleman at the first glance which he cast tqwards them as the fatal “ My lord” fell from the old yoman’s lips, that their ears had not failed to catch the words: and he could scarcely control even within moderate bounds the rage which heexperienced towards the crone whose inadvertence had thus betrayed his rank. But be soon began to reflect that although his hireling assassins had learnt that he was a lord, they were still in utter ignorance of his title ; and consoling bimeelf with this fact, he thought it prudent not to condescend to the slightest remark on the oc- currence. He even spoke in a civil and conciliatory manner to the old woman when she returned to the room—-evidently for the purpose of soothing her feelings for the irritation he had previously shown. The Magsman and the Beggarman, having finished their breakfast, were decired by the nobleman to fetch down their trunks, which the crone had packed up for them; and, on ‘ascending to the chamber for this purpose, Joe Warren observed in a low whisper and with a significant look, “ Wasn’t I right, my good feller, when I made up my mind not to knock this niblike cove on the head? Now we've dis- covered that he’s a lord—and it’s probable the lady that was with us all the night before last is of high rank also. Let me tell you, Stephen, that this is as pleasant and promising an affair as we have ever had in hand.” “ And we'll make the most of it, Joe,” responded the Big Beggarman. “It ought to prove as good as ap annuity for us.” Having thus exchanged their sentiments, the two rufiians shouldered their trunks and descended to the ground-floor again. The carriage, which had driven away to change horses during breakfast time, re- turned in a few minutes; and the men lashed their luggage on tothe roof. They then entered the vehicle —the nobleman followed them —the blinds were drawn up once more—and the journey was continued at a rapid rate. Between three and four hours passed away, dur- ing which the horses had been changed twice,— when the carriage suddenly broke down as it was whirling speedily on. The nobleman instantly put down the blinds— opened the door—and leapt out; and a giance at the fore axle-tree, which had snapped in halves, oonvinced him that some hours must elapse ere the accident could be repaired. Having consulted with the postilion for a few moments, he returned to the carriage-door and desired the two men toalight. Then drawing them aside beyond ear-shot of the post-boy, he said, “You perceive that our journey has experienced au interruption; and we must therefore part com- pany at once. Those buildings which rise above yonder trees, belong to the town of Warrington; and Liverpool is only seventeen or eighteen miles distant from that place. You will proceed thither without delay; and on arriving at Liverpool, inquire for the Royal George brig. You will find the cap. tain on board; and upon your telling him that your names are Jones and Thompson, he will in- stantly agsign you to the berths which have been already engaged and paid for on your account.” “All that is easy enough,” said the Magsman ; “and the arrangements have no doubt been made in capital style. But who’s to pay us the other THE MYSTERIES. fifteen hundred a-piece which is still due! No offence, my lord—but ——” : “ Silence !* ejaculated the nobleman, imperiowsly. “You have surely had sufficient proofs of my gene- rosity to be well aware that I am not likely to de- ceive or defraud you in any one respect. It never was my intention to accompany you all the way to Liverpool—though it certainly was not my purpose to part from you at sach a distance as this. But ar. rangements had already been made respecting the payment of the remaining amount du to each of you; and so soon as you hav taken ;ussession of yoor berths on board the Hoyal George, the eap- tain, who has been led to believe that you are political offenders voluntarily deporting yourselves in order to escape a severer sentence, will place fifteen hundred pounds in the hands of each.” “ And if he should prove to be a rascal and stiek to the blunt? said the Magsman, not altogether admiring the arrangement. “You have nothing to fear, my good fellow,” re- joined the nobleman, in a tone of decision. “Bis neither consistcnt with my views nor my interest to affurd you any excuse or pretext for remaining in England. The money will therefore be paid to you as faithfully and as honourably as the instal- ments which you have already received.” “ But why can’t you settle with us now, my lord?” demanded the Magsman, his tone and aspect ai- suming a slight degree of menace. “For two reasons,” was the the prompt and rese- lute answer. “ Because I choose you to quit Eng- Jand, according to our bargain—and because I bate not sufficient funds about my person to liquidate ene tenth part of the amount now due to you. Look here, my good fellow,” he continued, in a still more impressive and significant tone, while his ey shining through the mask, were fixed earnestly and searchingly on the Magsman’s countenance: “ yoa will reap no advantage by being obstinate or attempt- ing to frustrate my will. If you rebel against my authority now—why, we must fight it out with out pistols, that's all: and if you kill me, you will pot have improyed your own position one jet. As for any threats of exposure which you might utter, ! laugh at them and defy you. We will not misce matters: you have learnt, through the inadvertency of a foolish old woman who forgot the injunctions e secrecy which she had received, that I am a neble- man. Well—granted that I am—granted even that you discover what my title is,—who on earth would believe your tale if you were to narrate all that has occured within the last forty-eight hours? Besides, even were it believed, would you not be oriminating yourselves as seriously as me? On the other hend, suppose that I were to accuse you of having stopped me on this highway and robbed me of all the Bank- notes which you have now in your possession,—® what predicament would you bethen? You thew fore perceive, my good fellows, that it is ueesless for you to show your teeth at me; and you had better make up your minds to continue on the same ple eant and agreeable understanding which hae hicherte prevailed.” “I’m sure we don’t want to quarrel with your lordship,” said the Magsman, who could not seat his eyes to the truth of all the reasoning which had just fallen upon hisears. “But you must see thet you have got entirely the advantage of us, You know who we are—and we don’t know whe you até: COMNGBOOKS COMM