The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 216: what you’re looking at

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SEO ee 210 Pho en. THE MYSTERIES OF THE GOURT. He did not want his own money, as he had plenty of funds at his disposal: but the warning given ~him by the friendly-disposed waiter had rendered him determined to look after that which was his due; for he thought it by no means improbable that Baron Farthenless might endeavour to cheat him out of it—an opinion to which he was more or less justified in arriving, inasmuch as during the week he had seen but too many instances of the dirty meanness and paltry expedients to which the members of the ducal retinue had recourse for obtaining wines, cigars, spirits, and other things beyond the limit of their actual allow- ances, “What for you sall be waiting, yong mans P” inquired Baron Raggidbak, taking our hero aside and speaking to him in a confidential whisper. “Tam waiting to see Baron Farthenless,” an- swered Christian. “Does your lordship shortly expect him P” ‘“Yes—I suspects him in one —two— tree minute. He am gone for to go to de palace to see de Prince; and he eome back vare soon wid de moneys.” “Gone to the palace to get money of the Prince?” ejaculated, Christian, thus giving in- voluntary utterance to his amazement. “Yes, begar!”’ responded Raggidbak. “ De vare goot Prince Albert sall act as how you eall it? Oh! de banker of de Duke all de times we sall be in England. I waiting too for de moneys. I vare rich man in mine own country— vare rich: but me forgot to bring over wid me de tousand pounds which I was meant for to do. Have you got such a ting, yong mans, as six shil- ling in your pocketP—and we sall drink one bottle of de wine till de Baron sall come back.” Christian was determined not to be muleted a second time by Baron Raggidbak; and so he gave an evasive response,—whereat his lordship looked deeply indignant and turned haughtily away, playing with his gilt brass watch-chain. e Almost immediately afterwards Baron Farthen- less made his appearance ; and then Christian was surprised to see how the noblemen and gentlemen of the- ducal retinue crowded around the Privy Purse,—surveying him with looks of eager in- quiry, and ready to stretch forth their dirty hands wil hungry avidity to clutch whatsoever spoil he had to place at their disposal. And spoil it really was,— spoil wrung from the overtaxed industry of the working classes, and which, though by Act of Parliament passing through the hands of a naturalized foreign Prince, was thus destined to find its way into the pockets of these German cormorants whom the reigning Duke of Maxe- Stolburg-Quotha had brought ‘over with him. Christian was infinitely disgusted; and as soon as he had received his own salary, he took his depar- ture. We must now observe that during the week which had thus elapsed since he entered into the service of the Duke of Maxe-Stolburg-Quotha, he had every day seen the beautiful Isabella Vincent -—but only for a few minutes at a time; and on no occasion to enter into discourse with her, save in the presence of Mr. or Mrs. Chubb. His in- terest in the charming girl could scarcely be said to have increased—for it had already reached the point at which it had become the purest and sin- eee cerest love. But he saw that some yee enveloped her; and he was curious to fathom it. On returning to his lodging, between five and six o’clock in the evening, after receiving his salary from Baron Farthenless, he found a well-dressed but by no means apreeable- looking man knocking at the door of Mr. Chubb’s house. The summons was not immediately answered; and Christian accordingly waited on the steps with this indi- vidual,—who surveyed him, as he thought, in a rather suspicious manner. about forty years of age—by no means good- looking—clothed in black—and exhibiting great neatness and carefulness of toilet. Presently the door opened ; and the servant-girl, evidently re- cognising the visitor, conducted him into the parlour—-while Christian repaired to his own room. About half-an-hour afterwards, Mrs. Chubb made her appearance before her youthful lodger ; and he at once saw by her countenance that some- thing had troubled her. This countenance of her’s was never the sweetest in its expression; and therefore when anything did transpire to put her out, 16 was vixenish and disagreeable to a de- gree. “TIT am come, Mr. Ashton,” she said, “to bee that you will suit yourself with other apartments as soon as possible—this very evening, if so be you can; and in course, if you insist upon it, I sha’n’t claim the week’s rent which is due, because I am not giving youa week’s notice.” *“ But what is the meaning of this ?” inquired Christian, perfectly astonished as well as hurt by the suddenness of the proceeding. “ Never mind, sir! Ihave got no explanations to give—leastways there is no call to have any words about it: will do me this faviour at once.” “ Mrs. Chubb,” answered Christian, half indig- nant and half remonstrating, “it is impossible you can treat me in such a manner without explaining your conduct. If my own behaviour has been im- proper or discourteous to yourself or any one be- neath your roof fe “ Well, sir,” interrupted Mrs. Chubb, softening — somewhat, “there’s no fault to find with your con- duct: you’re a gentleman; and you behaved as sich. But I do beg this faviour at your hands ; and, in course, if in taking another lodging you refer to me I shall say all that’s good and proper. Pray don’t press me any farther, Seem dear young gentleman: but see about mo nee.” “It is totally impossible that I can find another - lodging this evening,” answered Christian, cruelly annoyed and perplexed: “but after the way in which you have just spoken to me, I certainly feel myself bound to leave to-morrow.” “ Well, sir, I must make that do,” Mrs. Chubb; “and thank’ee kindly.” Thereupon she quitted the room; and Christian was left to deliberate upon all that had occurred. Was it on Isabella’s account that he had re- ceived this notice?—was that man whom he had encountered at the street door, in any way connected with her? He hoped not: for there was something in the look of that individual which he by no means liked—a certain sinister expression which appeared to indicate hypocrisy, cunning, and other debasing sentiments. He now longed responded CONnRICLOOKS He was a person of but as a gentleman I trust you ec —-—— - nes (E©)