The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 349: what you’re looking at

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

316 THE COURT OF LONDON “We must think only of to-day, and wait till to-morrow comes before we trouble ourselves concerning the cares it may bring. But have you anything better to propose? You seem to be reflecting — ”’ ‘Yes, I was thinking whether it would not be much more prudent,’ said Emmerson, ‘‘ if I were to ride it with a high hand toward Malpas and refer him entirely to the countess. Then her ladyship might send him over the money (with which, of course, I should provide her) to-.free himself from prison by these means. There would thus be an avoidance of anything like an admission of an amour between myself and her ladyship. Such a precaution would leave no room for future menaces on the part of Malpas with respect to the countess and me.”’ ‘“T understand you perfectly well,’’ said Gertrude, with a peculiar smile, ‘‘ and I approve of your suggestions. But whatever is to be done, let it be done quickly, because the countess will be in a painful state of suspense until I return.” “We will arrange the proceeding offhand,’’ said Emmerson. “In the first place, see what I shall write to Malpas.”’ The money-broker accordingly sat down and penned the following letter: ‘““ NicHoLaAs LANzE, December 12, 1814. “Mr. Emmerson presents his compliments to Colonel Malpas and begs to inform him that he has received with mingled astonishment and indignation the letter which Colonel Malpas has written, and in which certain threats are contained relative to a lady whose name Mr. Emmer- son forbears from mentioning. Mr. Emmerson is but shghtly acquainted with that lady, and under ordinary circumstances he should decline being the means of con- veying to her ladyship any such unmanly threats. But inasmuch as he has previously had to arrange a very unpleas- ant affair relative to certain bills of exchange wherein Colonel Malpas and the lady aforesaid were engaged, he will once again so far intrude upon that lady’s notice as to make her acquainted with the new dangers that now menace her from her unfortunate acquaintance with such a man as Colonel Malpas.”’ “That will do excellently,” said Gertrude. ‘‘ Coward, poltroon, and unprincipled scoundrel though he be, he would Eomicboo cS (e(@)