The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 373: what you’re looking at

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

RAO AT EARL MONTGOMERY’S MANSION 339 in a most familiar strain upon many topics of a private nature.”’ ‘““No, he at present entertains not the slightest idea of the storm which is brewing,’’ observed Rigden; “ and I must beg your lordship, as a particular favour, not to mention a word upon the subject until he shall first broach it to you. For it was in a pure friendly spirit that I put such a question to you just now; and I repeat, that my advice will be to the effect of a private compromise instead of an appeal to the law courts.” ‘‘ Would it be indiscreet to ask who is the claimant and what is the nature of his claims against Lord Florimel? ”’ said Montgomery. ‘I pledge you my honour that not a syllable of anything you may communicate shall pass my lips.’ ‘“‘ My lord, I cannot mention the name of the claimant,” said the lawyer, ‘‘ because the matter is as yet entirely in its infancy. But this much I have no objection to state, that the claims advanced are of the most sweeping and extensive nature, not only striking at the possessions of Lord Florimel, but even at his very right to the peerage itself.”’ ““Good Heavens!’ exclaimed Montgomery, ‘‘ you aston- ish me. And yet it was but this very morning that Lord Florimel happened to mention to me, in the course of con- versation, that he was in possession of all the deeds and documents regarding his estates.” ‘Ah! he told your lordship that, did he?” said Mr. Rigden, taking a pinch of snuff. ‘ Then all I can now add is that the piece of information you have just given me has: quite set at rest one portion of the matter of which I have: been speaking; for the claims of the young man to the Florimel estates are founded upon a belief that no regular deeds conferring a title upon the present holder are in exis- tence.”’ ‘Then I am glad you have mentioned the affair to me, my dear Rigden,” exclaimed Montgomery; ‘“‘ for I can assure you that Florimel not only possesses his deeds and parch-~ ments, but has even told me where he keeps them.”’ ‘“‘ In that case, as I said before, one part of the business is set at rest,’’ observed the lawyer. ‘‘ The only claim now remaining regards the peerage, and that point cannot be (Gt@) mG 6)(0)()