The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

48 “T recollect that she plays and sings admirably,” said the Duke. “ But now, pray come to the pur- ose.” J “T will explain myself in as few words as pos- sible,’ continued Mr. Armytage. “Your Grace is aware that my poor wife, Zoe’s mother, died when she was young; and it therefore devolved upon me to superintend my daughter’s training and rearing. I am therefore proud of her, not merely as the personification of feminine beauty and accomplish- ments—but likewise as a specimen of my own good taste: I mean that the developments of her intellect do credit to the presiding influence - “Really, Armytage, you might leave others to sing your praises,” interrupted the Duke, some- what impatiently. “What in the devil’s name is the use of your talking all this nonsense to me ? Let it be taken for granted that your daughter is all you represent; and now tell me what ser- vice I can render you—for it is a service, I see plainly enough, that you have come to ask.” “ My lord, I am solicitous for the welfare of my beloved and only child,” returned Armytage. “To speak the truth with frankness, I have given the most brilliant parties ever since she eame out, in the hope of procuring for her a suitable alli- ance. Several young noblemen are happy enough to feast themselves at my table and to flirt in my drawing-rooms: but, my lord, as yet not one is “Has paid his suit to your daughter,” said the Duke, anticipating his visitor’s meaning. “ But what would you have me do? You don’t for & minute imagine that I have it in my power to find a patrician husband for your daughter P” “Qn the’ contrary, my lord, it is precisely what I do mean,” said Mr. Armytage; “and Iwill tell you how. Your Grace is intimately acquainted with all those young noblemen who visit me 2 “No doubt!’ interjected Marchmont: “ be- cause it was through me that you became ac- quainted with them.” “Precisely so, my lord,” said Mr. Armytage. “They are your Grace’s companions and friends— you meet them at your club—you ride with them —they visit you at your country-seats and at your shooting-box—they dine at your table—they are satellites revolving round your Grace as their central sun.” “Well, Armytage—and to what is all this to lead P” inquired the Duke. “Simply to this, my lord,—that you have it in your power to hint to these noblemen that Mr. Armytage is a wealthy man—a very wealthy man—that by successful speculations he has amassed a considerable fortune Y “The young necblemen to whom you allude, are aware of this already,” observed the Duke. “Yes, my lord: but they are not aware that I will give my daughter sixty thousand pounds on her wedding-day. Of course this is an announce- ment which I cannot blazon forth from the head of my dinner-table, nor in the midst of my drawing- room. Your Grace however can bring up the conversation, as if quite in an indifferent manner ; and whatsoever hint your lordship may throw out in respect to my means and intentions of pro- viding for my daughter, will assume for those | THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. reflect seriously thereon. If the attention of the young noblemen to whom we are alluding, be once settled on that particular point e “Your aim will be soon accomplished, you think ?” added the Duke. “ Well, it may be so. But do you reflect, Armytage, that these young noblemen are for the most part younger sons— without much means of their own P” “What matters their means,” ejaculated Army- tage, “when I possess ample? I would sooner bestow my daughter on a nobleman without a shilling, than on the richest commoner in all England.” “Really, if this be your game,” observed the Duke of Marchmont, “Ido not think it can be a very difficult one to be carried out success- fully.” “Certainly not—if your Grace will only suc- cour me to the extent I have been explaining,” said Mr. Armytage. ‘“ May I rely % “Yes—certainly,” responded the Duke. “T will take the very earliest opportunity of giving the hint which you have suggested. But what will Miss Zoe herself say if some fine morning you bid her receive the attentions of one whom she does not love ?” “ Zoe, my lord—as a dutiful, an affectionate, and an obedient daughter,’ rejoined Mr. Armytage, sententiously, “will follow her father’s advice in all things.” “ And suppose that the whole is brought about ac- cording to your wishes,” said the Duke, “ you will not eventually throw upon me the blame of any mishaps that may arise—the squandering, for in- stance, of your daughter’s dowry by the husband whom she may thus obtai at “TI, my lord, will take care of all that in the marriage-settlements,’ replied Armytage quickly. “ Suppose, for argument sake, that the noble suitor whom I seek for my daughter, should be hampered with debts. To a reasonable amount I will liqui- date them; and I will guarantee a liberal income —say a thousand a year—for pocket-money and so forth, for my son-in-law. This, with the interest of my daughter’s sixty thousand pounds, will yield a sufficient revenue; and the young people will have the prospect of double at my death. Is not this fair, my lord ?” “Tt is at least explicit,” responded the Duke; “and as I see that you are so perseveringly bent on marrying your daughter to almost any one, so long as he possesses a title of nobility—I will, as already promised, do my best to help you in the matter.” “ For this favour, and for all past ones, my lord,” said Armytage, rising from his seat, “I beg to proffer my sincerest thanks.” He then bowed in the same half respectful half familiar manner as before—-and quitted the room. As the door closed behind him, a sneering expres- sion of contempt appeared upon the countenance of the Duke of Marchmont: but it was promptly ance, at having been thus selected to play the igno- minious part of a sort of helper-on for the ambi- tious schemings of the parvenu speculator, Mr. Armytage. A few minutes after the departure of Mr. Army- tage, and just as the Duke of Marchmont was about to proceed to his chamber to dress for going } | | succeeded by a darker scowl of anger and annoy- who hear it, the shape of a recommendation to | : | j { j \ } —_—, -_— ———_ —_- | eo Let a eee = es = roo _ ee te , om€£ (COLUM CORnNIECLOOOKS @)