The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 322: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES. “ Your commission, Miss, shall be executed with- | both in Tokenhouse Yard at twelve o’clock pre- out a moment’s unnecessary delay,’ responded the | cisely.” man, who immediately quitted the house, Ten minutes elapsed before it struck Camilla that she had forgotten to communicate her name to thein- dividual who had thus undertaken to convey her mes- sage to Meagles; and she almost felt surprised and annoyed that the man himself had not asked the question. She however consoled herself with the re- flection that Meagles would be certain to guess who it was that thus sent for him—and if not, the de- scription which the messenger would give of her per- sonal appearance could not fail to recall her to his recollection. At the expiration of an hour the man returned, wearing a mournful expression of countenance; and Camilla instantly perceived that something was wrong. “Mr. Meagles isn’t at home, Miss,” he said; “and Lregret to inform you that he won't return for the next six weeks. He’s gone to Scotland, it appears, on very particular business — for the Prince of Wales, I think the woman of the house told me -* “ Yes—most probably,” murmured poor Camilla, in a stifling tone: “I know that he is very fre- quently employed in transacting the business of his Royal Highness.” “ Well, cheer up, Miss—don’t take on about it,” said theman. “ You're quite welcome to stay here, you know, till your friend returns: and as for money—I’m sure neither me or my missus will ever ask you for a farthing ——” “The young lady is not without funds,” observed the woman, as if giving a piece of information to her husband. “Oh! well—I’m glad of that for her sake, poor dear !” exclaimed the latter. “But how could I know it unless you told me, my love?” he added, in a tone of bland and gentle remonstrance to his wife, “ My good friends,” suddenly exclaimed Camilla, after a few moments’ deep thought; “ my mind is made up how to act. It is true that I possess a few hundreds of pounds in the Bank of England, which sum I had hoped to leave there to accumu- late while I subsisted by the earnings of my needle. Il am determined not to seek for another situation : but I will hire and furnish a neat lodging in a re- spectable neighbourhood and endeavour to form a connexion as a dress-maker. For this purpose I propose to repair to the City—inquire for some re- spectable solicitor or stock-broker——” “Tf you want a lawyer, Miss,” interrupted the wo- man, “my husband’s attorney is one in whom you can place implicit trust. Ah! we were better off ourselves once, Miss, I can assure you—and then we had our regular professional adviser, who has stuck like a friend to us ever since.” “ He has indeed!” ejaculated the man. “There isn’t a better fellow in the world than Samuel Sim- monds, Esquire—though I say it. And whatis more extraordinary still, lve got an appointment with him this forenoon——” “T shall be thankful,” said Camilla, “if you will allow me to accompany you to Mr. Simmonds’ office.” “ Well—I have got to call at several places first,” remarked the man: “but my missus shall go with you into the City presently—and I'll meet you LI LS enjoins ene With this understanding, to which the orphan thankfully assented, he took his departure, ——-—oo CHAPTER LXXXVIL THE ORPHAN’S FRIENDS. Precisery as the clock of the Royal Exchange | was striking mid-day, Camilla Morton ana the wo- man alighted from a hackney-coach in Lothbury, whence they passed into Tokenhouse Yard, which is a blind alley the houses whereof are chiefly let out as offices and business-premises. With the little money which Camilla had in her possession when she fled from Mrs. Brace’s house on the preceding night, she had purchased a bonnet and scarf; and the excitement of having her mind now actively employed had brought back the colour to her cheeks, Her appearance was therefore lady- like, pleasing, and interesting—and, as the woman kept close behind her, it seemed as if a genteel young person was walking out attended by her servant. Searcely had they entered Tokenhouse Yard when the woman exclaimed, “ How fortunate ! Here comes my husband with the lawyer !” And Camilla, raising her eyes, beheld the man advancing in company with ashort, stout, red-faced, but respeetable-looking individual, dressed in black, and who was iminediately introduced to Miss Mor- ton as Mr. Samuel Simmonds. “ Highly honoured to make your acquaintance, Miss,” said the attorney. “ What can I do for you in the way of business? But had we not better walk back to my offices?” he demanded, glancing over his shoulder in the direction of the farther ex- tremity of Tokenhouse Yard. “{ don’t think it’s necessary, sir,” suggested the man. “ This young lady only wants to sell outa few pounds ? “Indeed! Oh! well—it happens that I am just going over to the Bank to meet my broker, who is to sell out twenty thousand for a certain noble lord— my best client in fact,” observed Mr. Samuel Sim- monds, assuming a confidential tone and air, as if | he would not tell everybody that the nameless peer was his most generous patron. “ Well, Miss—and how much do you propose to sell out ?—and what’s the stock? Be so kind as to tell me all about it, Miss—and your business shall be done in a jiffey— ahem! I mean in a moment.” Camilla, taking the abruptness of the Jawyer’s manuer for the off-handedness of business, drew from the bosom of her dress a Bank receipt; and presenting it to the attorney, she said, “ This will give you all the necessary explanations, sir: and 1 am desirous to sell out a hundred pounds.” “ Very well, Miss—a hundred pounds,” repeated Mr. Samuel Simmonds, “ Just be so kind as to step over to the Bank with me. Oh! you may come too—both of you, if you like,” he added, turning with a patronising smile to the man and his wife. The whole party accordingly crossed over the street to the Banik, and entered that court-yard which communicates with Lothbury. “Stop here one moment, Miss—stop here with the young lady, my good friends,” said Mr. Samuel 307] MICLOOKS. (C@) (C(O)