The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 324: what you’re looking at

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

THE LORD AND THE MERCHANT 293 his flippant laughs, ‘‘ that you always keep a good supply of money in the house in case of emergencies.”’ ‘‘ Always,”’ responded the merchant, with apparent cool- ness and indifference; but the proceeding was in reality another piece of ostentation on his part to pique the envy of his patrician brother-in-law, whom he alike despised and hated. When Sir Frederick had counted down bank-notes to the amount of a couple of thousand pounds, there was still a considerable amount left, and in the same spirit of ostenta- tion the merchant folded them up methodically, conducting the process in such a manner that Rushbrook might catch a slimpse of the word ‘‘ Hundred ”’ in the corner of some dozen or fifteen of these remaining notes. ‘‘ Shall I give you a little memorandum, an acknowledg- ment, a note of hand, or anything you think fit?’ inquired the viscount, as he thrust into his pocket the two thousand pounds just handed to him. ‘It is really useless to spoil a good sheet of paper, my lord,’’ was the merchant’s coldly contemptuous reply, as he locked up the safe. The viscount affected to laugh, but he bit his lip with deep, concentrated rage, as he thought within himself, ‘‘ In- sult upon insult. The purse-pride of this upstart plebeian is intolerable.”’ While that expression of impotent fury was still upon Rushbrook’s countenance, the full gaze of Latham’s cold blue eyes was suddenly turned upon him, — indeed with an abruptness that made Rushbrook start. But again recover- ing his self-possession, he ran his fingers through his dark hair, saying, with another laugh, ‘‘ Now, then, for this bottle which is promised.” Sir Frederick Latham led the way back to the dining- room, rang the bell, and gave the order for the wine. As he sat for another half-hour with the viscount, his discourse again turned upon general topics, and he spoke precisely as if nothing unpleasant had taken place, while his demeanour exhibited that courtesy, so coldly polished, which was hab- itual with him. The fresh supply of wine being finished, the merchant and the viscount repaired to the drawing-room, where they partook of coffee with Anastatia, and the young lady had not the slightest reason to suspect that anything COnnicloookKks (CO)