The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 234: what you’re looking at

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

THE FAMILY VAULT 203 I have gleaned some very curious particulars concerning the deceased members of the Bellenden family, and which par- ticulars are most important to my interests in the suit that I am carrying on against the marchioness.’ I thereupon begged his lordship not to make me his confidant, as I was bound by gratitude to support the cause and defend the in- terests of the noble lady who gave me the presentation of the Bellenden rectory. ‘Iam aware of your devotion in that quarter, Mr. Roberts,’ said Earl Montgomery, ‘ and so far from being angry with you, I honour you for it. Indeed, I have called upon you from motives of respect and courtesy, and to inform you that in consequence of the curious partic- ulars I have this day gleaned from some of the patriarchs of the village, I shall cause the vault of the Bellenden family to be examined and the register of deaths to be searched.’ Upon hearing these announcements, I respectfully but firmly ex- plained to his lordship that he was welcome to consult the registers, but that he could not be permitted to break open the family vault of the house of Bellenden; without a proper authority or permission. ‘ Well, you are quite right to act cautiously, Mr. Roberts,’ exclaimed the earl, with an offhand manner and indifferent tone. ‘ I will apply to the Lord Chan- cellor for an order to open the vault; and I will send down agents duly authorized to carry this aim into effect. Theex- amination of the registers can stand over until the same op- portunity. Indeed, it will be better that the same persons should conduct both investigations, because there will then be only one set of witnesses, and consequently a saving of expense. I presume, Mr. Roberts, that when I do thus send my agents down, you will throw no obstacle in their way.’ I answered that I should obey any official mandate or proper authority in respect to the opening of the vault; and that as for the registers, any one was at liberty to inspect them on certain terms. ‘ The truth is,’ continued the earl, who seemed resolved to be communicative, although I can assure your ladyship there was nothing encouraging in my manner toward him, ‘ a great deal — indeed, almost every- thing on the Marchioness of Bellenden’s side — depends upon a particular conveyance deed which she has put into court. This deed is alleged to have been signed by the late Marquis of Bellenden’s father fifty years ago, — that is to say, in the year 1745. But according to what I have been able to GomilGcyaooks (S©)