The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 162: what you’re looking at

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———. —— ee ee ~ — 156 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. — -— -— ———— ——— ——— —- ———C — givings. I tell you that we will be all circum- the one hand, as well as that there should be no spection in our conduct. But conceive the ‘undue extravagance on the other. Opening a happiness, dearest Ethel, of lhving beneath the | cupboard in her own frout-parlour, she contem- same roof—of breathing the same atmosphere ” | plated a little array of five decanters —two con: “No, Adolphus—it is impossible !”’ exclaimed | taining port, purchased at the rate of one-and- the Countess, all her better feelings and all her threepence a bottle at the oilman’s who dealt in fortitude suddenly reviving with greater power British wines—the next two containing sherry, too than on any other occasion during this , procured at the same place and at the same prica interview. “I have been standing on the brink | —and the fifth decanter being two-thirds full of of a precipice; and I will retreat in time. If you brandy, which Mrs. Macaulay had not purchased really love me—if you entertain the slightest spark | at all, but which were the remains of a bottle that of affection for me—impel me not over that brink | Mr. Redcliffe had no farther use for. —hurl me not down into the abyss beneath! No, | “ Let me see,” said Mrs. Macaulay; “how many no—it shall not be! Besides, Adolphus, if would will there be of us altogether?”—and she pro- be something shocking and revolting to think that | ceeded to tell off the expected guests on her fingers you, the son, should live beneath the same roof | for about the twentieth time during this particular with my husband, the father, and know that Tam day. ‘There is the two Wanklins—Miss Spilsbury compelled to receive from him those caresses which |—and Captain Bluff: that’s four. Then there’s you may not in honour bestow. Mymindis made me and Master Ashton: for I know from what up! It will cost me many, many bitter pangs to he said his sister won’t come: so that makes renounce this love of your’s: but it shall be done. six. Then there’s Mrs. Dumpling—Mrs. Sifkin— And if I who am a woman, can prove thus resolute Mr. Chubb (the sanctimonious humbug !)—and —you, as a man, must show yourself even stronger Mr. Hogben: that makes ten. Then there’s still in the performance of a duty. Leave me, Mrs. Chowley and her two daughters—the con- Adolphus—I entreat—I conjure nay, L com- | ceited chits!—and that makes thirteen. Thirteen mand that you leave me!” _people—and four bottles of wine. Each bottle ten “ Ethel—dearest Ethel—you are driving me to | glasses: that’s forty glasses, to be divided by despair !”—and the young nobleman was frightfuily | thirteen. Well, it will give three a-piece, and just distressed. | leave a drain at the bottom of each decanter for “And I too am in despair,’ rejoined the , gentility’s sake. Because then comes the brandy, Countess: “but my resolve is taken. It would| the hot water, and sugar and I am not quite be cruel—worse than cruel—ungenerous and | clear but that there’s rather too much wine.” unmanly for you, Adolphus, to attempt to turn| Mrs. Macaulay stood gazing dubiously for a few me from my purpose. Leave me, I say.” | minutes on the little array of decanters,—pondering ‘And my father?” inquired Lord Osmond, in | whether she should suppress the production of one a deep voice full of concentrated emotion, while | of port or one of sherry; and there was even a his looks did indeed bespeak the despair which | moment when she actually thought of keeping his lips had proclaimed: “what will you say to} back one of each. But then she remembered that him ? how will you account for my presence here | she had promised to do the thing handsomely and to-day ?” come out with a genteel little spread: so she “1 will tell him all that you have suggested,” | decided upon keeping back nothing at all, and was Ethel’s quick and firm response: “ but frankly | going the whole hog with her extravagance and do I inform you, Adolphus, that I shall speak in | profusion for once in a way. Having arrived at such a manner as to show that while I earnestly | this decision, she hastened down stairs to inspect wish him to become friendly with you again, it is|the larder; and having cast a look over its not my desire that you should return to dwell in ‘contents, she soliloquized after the dollowing this house.” | fashion :—= With these words, the Countess of Lascelles! ‘*Cold veal pie at the head of the table—large roso abruptly from the sofa; and not daring to | enough to bear at least thirteen helps. Then trust herself another moment with Adolphus, she there’s four dozen of oysters ordered for nine rushed from the room. A few minutes afterwards | o'clock But dear me! what if the best part of the young nobleman issued from the house, with a | the company should take a fancy to oysters? I forced serenity of aspect, but with blank despair | sha‘n’t touch any for one: but there are twelve in his heart. 'who might; and how many would that give to each? Four dozen is forty-eight; and twelves ——. into forty-eight go four. That would be only four oysters a-piece !”’ At this awful calculation the worthy lady looked somewhat blank; and she was even deliberating THE EVENING PARTY. whether she should not send forth to order an extra two dozen of oysters, whem she again plunged Ir was now the memorable Saturday evening on | her looks into the larder, and went on soliloquiz- which Mys. Macaulay was to give her party in | ing. honour of the reconciliation between herself and ‘Fried sausages and mashed potatoes for the Mrs. Sifkin who lived over the way. The number | bottom of the table—and the oysters to go in the of guests had been duly borne in mind with regard middle. The spread, after all, would be genteel to the preparations for the entertainment: but at | and liberal enough. Susan!” she exclaimed, turn- about six o’clock Mrs. Macaulay gave another look | ing round to one of the maids, “ did Mr. Redcliffe at the eatables and drinkables, for the purpose of | give orders for his dinner to-morrow, as he always satisfying herself that there would be sufficient on | does on Saturday might for the Sunday ?” CHAPTER XXXI. CORNICLOOKS ES OS SF ee ee Eee ee et aaa, me —- Eaee (€@) |