The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 218: what you’re looking at

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212 | (eee eee “ Why, when Mr. Gibson came yesterday and saw you walk into the house, he asked me who you was ; and I was obleeged to tell him that you was a lodger. He looked uncommon glum, and said that he thought as how he had put Miss Vincent into a house where there was no single men to talk non- sense to her and soon. So I told him that you was a very respectable and well-behaved young gentleman—that you was out nearly the whole day, and never saw Miss Vincent unless it was when happening to pass her in the passage or on the stairs. But still he wasn’t satisfied ; so then I said as how I know’d you was an obleeging young gentleman, and would leave at the shortest possi- ble notice. Mr. Gibson looked better pleased, and went away; and then I thought it was all right. But, lo and behold! just as the clock strikes five this evening, up dashes the carriage to the door— in comes Mr. Gibson, and says that Miss Vincent is to go away with him directly. Her things was soon packed up; and off she went, only just a minute or two before you knocked at the door. So you sce that Miss Vincent has got some good friends; or else she has had a sudden windfall and turned out to be a fine lady after all.” “ And did she seem pleased,” inquired Christian, “ with the idea of going away P” “Not a bit of it!” ejaculated Mrs. Chubb. “When Mr. Gibson had her fetched down—for she was up in her own room when he came—and told her she was to go away with him at once, she seemed struck all of a heap.” “Ah! she seemed vexed ?” ejaculated Christian, eagerly. “That she did,” exclaimed Mrs. Chubb, not observing his excitement. ‘“ And I know what it was: she was sad at the thought of parting from me. You see, I was always very kind and good to her, though it was but a guinea a week as was paid for her keep. And now, Mr. Ashton, there’s no longer any call for you to shift your lodgings ; and as it’s through you I’ve lost Miss Vincent, L hope you won’t think of leaving me.” But Christian made her no answer—for the simple reason that he was not listening to the latter portion of her speech. His heart at the moment was a strange compound of joy and sorrow,—sor- row at the departure of the beauteous Isabella, and joy at the intelligence that she was sad when she left; for he knew full well that it could not be on account of separating from the parish clerk’s wife, and a secret voice whispered in his soul that this sadness on Isabella’s part was on account of him- self. Youthful love is full of hope, and in imagi- nation it triumphs over all obstacles : its fancy is so expansive that it even achieves impossibilities— levels the loftiest barriers and bridges the widest gulfs—until it beholds itself crowned with success. Such now was the case with Christian Ashton ; and feeling assured that he was not altogether indif- ferent to the lovely Isabella, he clung to the hope that the progress of time and the flow of circum- stances might lead them together to the altar. “Why, what are you thinking about, Mr. Ashton ?” exclaimed Mrs. Chubb. “Thinking about?” ejaculated our hero, thus rudely startled up from a dreamy reverie. “Oh! I was thinking of all you have been telling me about Miss Vincent.” Mrs. Chubb repeated her request with regard THE MYSTERIES sc ti A LL ELA LLL ALLL ALLL LALA ALLOA f THE COURT. to the lodgings; and Christian readily promised to grant it, on condition that she would go and make some befitting excuse for his not completing the bargain which he had half-settled in the morning with the other lodging-house-keeper. This little matter was speedily arranged; and our young hero accordingly kept his quarters at the parish clerk’s house. But why did he do this after the unceremonious way in which he had been treated when if was thought expedient to get rid of him? Simply because he wished to remain at the place where Isabella had lived, and where it was possible, he thought, she might happen to call. But which of our readers, whether gentleman or lady, who knows what love is, can fail to penetrate our young hero’s motives for tarrying at his present lodeg- ings? Another week passed away; and Christian, on proceeding, as usual, one morning at ten o’clock to Mivart’s Hotel, found the utmost ex- citement prevailing amongst the ducal retinue: there was to be a grand review in Hyde Park that day, at which his Royal Highness the Duke of Maxe-Stolburg-Quotha was to be present, and in honour of whom the military display was to take place. It was necessary that the Duke should be accompanied by his entire retinue; and there- fore great preparations were in progress for the occasion. In the various rooms the high func- tionaries were issuing orders to the servants of the hotel: some of them were inspecting their best apparel (and heaven knows that bad was the best!) —while others were burnishing up their trumpery jewellery with pieces of wash-leather. Christian passed on to the little room in which he was accus- tomed to sit: but on opening the door, he stopped short in sudden dismay at the astounding spectacle which met his eyes. For there sat Baron Raggid- bak, the Groom of*the Stole, in his coat, waistcoat, boots, and shirt—but without his breeches: for his lordship was busily engaged in the more notable than dignified task of mending a rent in the seat of those very pantaloons of which he had divested himself! No wonder that Christian stopped short: but the Baron started up in a towering rage, exclaim- ing, “ Der deyvil! why for, yong mans, you go for to come in widout knocking at de door ?” Christian’s only reply was a peal of laughter at the ludicrous figure presented to his view by his lordship Baron Raggidbak, Groom of the Stole to the high and mighty reigning Duke of Maxe- Stolburg-Quotha. His lordship gnashed his teeth with rage, and endeavoured to slip on his pantaloons with all possible despatch: but in his confusion and haste he thrust his right boot through the half-mended rent—and losing his balance, sprawled upon the floor. Christian now felt concerned on the poor devil’s behalf; and not wishing to add to his embarrassment, precipitately retreated, closing the door. He thought of re- pairing to the ante-chamber and waiting there until Baron Raggidbak should leave the secretary’s room free for his use. Again he passed through the midst of the greater portion of the ducal re- tinue; and on entering the ante-chamber some- what hastily, he surprised the Chevalier Kadger in the act of putting on his military frock coat,— when, to his renewed amazement, Christian dis- covered that this high official, the principal ra (c©) SalGO) 0)(0\(0) —