The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 329: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. O20 people, mind !—no low persons will ever seek your establishment through any hint or suggestion from ,me. Ashton can tell you that I am very par- ticular on that score—devilish particular.” “ Of course, sir,” observed the hotel-proprietor ; “every gentleman is.” “T should think so indeed!” exclaimed Mr. Sycamore : “ or else what would become of us P— damme, what would become of us?” The landlord shook his head solemnly, as if in- wardly repeating the question which had been put in so earnest a manner; and then he appeared lost in the wide field of speculation which it had opened to his mental view. “By the bye,” resumed Mr. Sycamore, after a pause, “you will have to keep a suite of rooms from Monday next for six weeks. They are for my friend Lord Toddington, from whom [ have this morning received a letter to tell me that he is coming. You remember, Ashton, I told you his lordship was certain to come? Ah, here is his | letter :’—and Mr. Sycamore tossed it to the land- | lord as he spoke. The hotel-proprietor took and read it; and his countenance exhibited a brightening satisfaction at what he evidently regarded as a proof of Mr. Sycamore’s sincerity. “Yes, sir,” he said, “the apartments shall be kept —and I thank you for the recommendation. His lordship, I perceive, is coming with his cousin the | Hon. Captain Highfiyer and his nephew Mr. Skelter: they will all be attended with their valets | —and there are likewise three grooms to provide | 3) ° for “ That’s just it,” said Mr. Sycamore; “and you perceive that his lordship requires breakfast, diniag, and drawing-rooms. Damme, we shall have a fine time of it! Toddineton is a devil of a/| fellow to drink champagne—and so is Highflyer: but Skelter will punish the burgundy. Ah, by the bye! that reminds me of something I had to suggest. You must be very careful about your burgundy: Skelter is an excellent judge—and if he does take a tancy to it, he’ll drink three or four bottles a day.” “TJ think, sir,’ remarked the hotel-proprietor, deferentially, “that you are enabled to pass an Opinion upon my burgundy P” “'Yes—I think I may venture to say that it és excellent,” responded Mr. Sycamore. “ Well, then, Ashton, we must write to,his lordship presently, and tell him that the rooms are engaged. Ah, by _ the bye, landlord, you will have to find stabling- accommodation for four horses, as you see by that letter.” “It shall be done, sir,” was the hotel-proprietor’s answer: and he proceeded to make certain memo- randa in his books. The Hon. Talbot Sycamore rose from his seat, and was lounging towards the door,—when appa- rently stricken with a sudden thought, he ex- claimed, “ Ah, by the bye, Ashton, just run up to the bank and inquire whether they have received ‘a letter of advice about my remittances. I can’t make out how the delay has been: it’s too bad of those fellows in London—and all the worse because I am their private friend as well as their customer. They are no doubt overwhelmed with business: but if they don’t pay more attention they will very soon lose it; and I for one don’t mean to stand | any nonsense. I'll close my account and cut them dead, if the money has not been sent by this last post.” Thus speaking, Myr. Sycamore looked uncom- monly fierce, as if he had just come to a resolve which was perfectly inexorable, and from which he would not suffer himself to be moved even if all the partners in the London banking-firm went down upon their knees at his feet. Christian Ashton hastened off to make the inquiry at the Ramsgate banker’s; and the Hon. Talbot Sycamore loungingly resumed his chair,—saying, “Till just wait here till my private secretary re- turns ; and you shall give me a glass of that famous hqueur of your’s that you sent up to us last even- ing.” The hotel-proprietor.—who had much approved of the firm and manly conduct of Mr. Sycamore in respect to the mode of dealing with his negligent | London bankers,—displayed considerable alacrity in ringing the bell and ordering in the choice liqueur of which Mr. Sycamore had spoken. This gentleman quaffed a glass with the air of a cone noisseur; and as he began to sip a second, he said, “T tell you what it is, landlord—there is not finer liqueur in all England than this. Toddington will like it’’—another sip—“ Highflyer will like it’”— another sip— and damme, Skelter will lke: it !”— and the last sip drained the glass. In a few minutes Christian Ashton returned, with a visible expression of disappointment upon his features. “Well, what news?” inquired Mr. Sycamore. “Am I to use harsh measures with those careless London bankers of mine? or am I to give them back all my contidence ?” “ Yam very much afraid, sir,’ responded our young hero, “that you will have to adopt the former course.” “Then, damme, I'll rush up te London at once!” exclaimed the Hon. Talbot Sycamore, starting from his chair with indignation depicted on his countenance. “I'll take the next train— I'll go to the bank—TI’ll order all my funds to be paid over to their great rivals, Pump, Aldgate, and Co.—V ll close my account—and, damme, Til horsewhip the head of the firm and blacken the eyes of the chief cashier.” While giving vent to these dreadful threais, Mr. Sycamore appeared to be worked up into a towering passion; and the hotel-proprietor being convinced of the genuine sincerity of all his customer’s proceedings since he had seen Lord Toddington’s letter, ventured to intercede on be- half of the London bankers,—adding that perbaps another letter, written in very strong terms, might bring them to their senses—or that perhaps ib would answer the same purpose if Mr. Ashton were sent up to London? “To be sure!” cried Mr, Sycamore, suffering himself to be appeased toa certain extent. “I don’t see why I should put myself out of the way for these careless negligent fellows. We’ll just write them another letter, Ashton; and if that don’t answer the purpose, you shall cut off to London the day after to-morrow, with full powers from me to close my account, thrash the principal, and pummel the cashier.” Our young hero expressed his readiness to un- dertake the journey to the metropolis whenever iGDOOKSEEOM = com - — A SR ee ee ee ee SE ——