The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 150: what you’re looking at

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

144 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. rather skilful in forming opinions of persons at a first glance ——” “You need not be afraid, M. Bertin,” inter- rupted Redcliffe, “that I shall go elsewhere to babble of whatsoever I may see at Madame An- gelique’s.” “To be sure not, sir! You and I know what the world is,” rejoined the tailor, with a significant look ; “and a gentleman of your travel and expe- rience is well aware that such establishments as these, are of the greatest convenience.” “The test convenience, indeed, I have not the slightest doubt!” exclaimed Redcliffe, some- what drily. “Have the ess, sir, to follow me,” said M. Bertin: and he forthwith conducted his new patron up the well carpeted staircase, to that room on the second storey where Annette was always in attendance at certain hours for the re- ception of visitors. This woman opened the mysterious mirror- contrived door, and tapped at the one inside,— which was speedily unfolded; and Clement Red- cliffe passed on into the luxuriously furnished saloon to which the reader has already been introduced. The four young ladies were not however there at the moment: it was Madame Angelique who gave him admittance; and an introduction was effected by the obsequious tailor, —who immediately afterwards withdrew. But while passing by the milliner, he hurriedly whis- pered, “A purse with a hundred guineas as my fee! Make much of him!” Madame Angelique closed the mysterious door, having thus received an intimation of Redcliffe’s liberality towards her accomplice the tailor, as well as a hint to the effect that she might, by playing her own cards well, feather her nest to her heart’s content. * Have the kindness to follow me, sir,” she said, with her most amiable and winning smile, as she opened the door of the apartment. Redcliffe, purposely assuming as much blandness of manner as he could possibly call to his aid, ac- companied Madame Angelique to her own boudoir, to which she led him. She begged him to be seated; and taking a chair near, she began ex- pressing her sense of the honour which she expe- rienced in receiving a patron of whom her friend M. Bertin had spoken so highly. She went on to intimate that as gold was evidently no object to Mr. Redcliffe, she could introduce him to some of the most beautiful creatures fn the metropolis— not merely those who were dwelling beneath her own roof, but others with whom she was acquainted and to whom she had access. “My friend M. Bertin hinted to me this evening previous to your arrival, sir,’ she con- tinued, “that you have been a long time in India. I know not exactly how your taste may be: but I think that I might possibly introduce you to cer- tain paragons of beauty from that same oriental clime A “Indeed!” observed Redcliffe, who was deter- mined to glean as much as he possibly could from Madame Angelique. “I should be delighted— and you have been rightly informed that money is no object to me. But who are these paragons of beauty of whom you speak ?” “Oh! it will be no easy matter to accomplish that business,” responded the milliner. “As yet scarcely any steps have been taken: but if I make up my mind to a particular enterprise, I seldom fail in accomplishing it. You must know, sir,” continued the infamous woman, “that my noble and generous patrons make it worth my while to furnish all possible rarities and varieties of female charms; and amongst these patrons I hope to include Mr. Redcliffe.” “Most assuredly,’ was this gentleman’s re- sponse. “Now Isee, my dear madam, that be- tween you and me there need not exist any disguise. I am wealthy—and I am addicted to pleasure. Icare not how large a price I pay for it. You understand me.” *T do, Mr. Redcliffe,” replied Madame An- gelique; “and I thank you for speaking so frankly. It is always better.” “ And those oriental beauties ?” * As yet I know nothing more of them than that they ave beauties,” continued the milliner. “One is comparatively fair, of ravishing loveli- ness: the other is of dusky complexion, and as handsome in countenance and as finely modelled in form as poet ever imagined.” “Tndeed !” said Redcliffe. “And where do they live, these oriental houris of your’s ?” “Ah, my dear sir,” exclaimed Madame An- geligue, tapping Redcliffe familiarly on the arm, “T cannot exactly tell you all my little secrets. But you who have been in India, will doubtless appreciate these rarities; and you will not mind a liberal outlay if I introduce you first to one, and afterwards to the other———Of course I mean beneath this roof. Doubtless the task will be a difficult one: there will be stratagem, machina- tion, inveigling, and so forth: but once here you understand me—for their own credit’s sake they will not afterwards speak of what has occurred.” “ Am I to understand that they live together ?” inguired Redcliffe; “ because if so, the task will perhaps - “Be all the more difficult,” Madame Angelique hastened to exclaim,—purposing to exact a price commensurate with the amount of obstacle, real or imaginary, which she might eventually be enabled to boast of having overcome. “Yes—they live together: the fairer of the two is the mistress—the darker one is the at- tendant; and it is in a suburb of London that they reside. But more than this you must really not expect to know for the present,” added Madame Angelique, with a smile. “Oh, I will not attempt to penetrate into your secrets, my dear madam,” exclaimed Redcliffe. “By all means let me be considered as the one who is to be fortunate enough _ “ Tt is a bargain, sir,” interrupted the milliner ; “and shall be fulfilled.” “ But,” continued Redcliffe, “in whatever steps you may take with regard to these oriental paragons, remember that my name “Good heavens, my dear sir, not for the world!” cried Madame Angelique. “Iam discretion per- sonified! Your name shall not be mentioned. I cannot promise that success will be speedily ac- complished. As yet I have learnt but littie more than tke fact of these charming creatures’ exist- ence in London. Yes—I have satisfied myself ee —= ew ceo S| en ONT GIIOOKS iGO