The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 262: what you’re looking at

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

—_—. -came,” answered Selina. nn ore i CT” arn SIE — 248 way of business, if it had not been for a circum- stance which is of so extraordinary a character as to induce me to give you this notice that such a bill is in existence with your son’s signature. The circumstance I allude to is this—that hap- pening yesterday to meet Mr. Sylvester Casey, with whom I am slightly acquainted, I reminded him that his acceptance was nearly due,—when he turned round upon me and denied ever having signed such a bill at all. Now, as I fairly dis- counted this bill in the way of business, I shall maintain my ewn rights, if need be, by the aid of the law; and it is therefore under legal advice that I send you, sir, this notice, in order that you may be prepared to save your son from the con- ‘sequences of his present dishonourable attempt to evade the payment of his liability. “T remain, sir, “Your obedient servant, “RICHARD PLUCKLEY.” “‘ Tlere’s a fresh trouble !” exclaimed the usurer, when he had finished reading the letter. ‘What is it, dear father?” asked Selina has- tily. ‘‘ Another forgery of that scoundrel Abel King- ston. for a thousand pounds too!” “‘ But you are not compelled to pay it, father ?” “‘No—certainly not; and I don’t mean it. But still it may give trouble — law-proceedings and all that sort of thing. Where is Sylves- ter 2” ““He went out just now, when Mr. Bulteel ‘“‘He said he should not return until the evening.” ‘““And he has not been up to ask me how I am!” said the usurer angrily. ‘*He came up while you slept, father; he woul perhaps have waited until Mr. Bulteel took his departure—only he thought that his visit might be a longer one, and Sylvester had some appoint- ment to keep.” . ‘“‘Oh, I daresay,” rejoined Casey, ironically. “You are too kind, Selina!—you always find excuses for every one! But no matter I shall get up now.” ‘Are you sure, dear father, that you are strong” enough ?” “Not only strong enough to get up now, but also to go out this evening.” “Go out ?” echoed Selina, with mingled asto- nishment and dismay. ‘Yes, to be sure,” answered her father gruffly. ““IT must go and see about this unpleasant busi- ness.” : Selina remonstrated, but all in.vain: her father was resolufe—and she knew his temper well enough to be aware that when once his mind was made up, no power of persuasion could turn him from following his own course. ° The hours passed away—the evening camc— and between eight and nine o’clock u cab stopped at the door of Mr. Pluckley’s house in Windmill Street. Mr. Cas»y and his son alighted. ‘They knocked at the door; and as they stood waiting for their summons to be answered, Sylvester in- quired, ‘By the bye, does he expect us at this hour ?” “Yes,” replied his father: “I answered his note at once, and sent to tell him that one or both of He has been using your brother’s name— ———— THE YOUNG DUCHESS; GR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. us would be sure to call upon him in the even- ing.” The front door was now opened; and a female servant conducted the two Caseys up a gloomy staircase, into a meanly furnished sitting-room on the first floor. It was a large apartment, and was only dimly lighted by the two candles which stood upon the table. Mr. Pluckley instantaneously came forward to receive his visitors ; and notwith- standing the nature of the business which had brought them, he showed them a polite attention, at once placing chairs for their accommodation. He was an elderly man, short and stout, with an expression of countenance which indicated a business-like keenness, not unmixed with benevo- lence. He wore a brown wig; and his clothes, though shabby, were of an old-fashioned cut and fitted badly, so that there was something grotesque and comical in his appearance. Mr. Casey senior scrutinised with attention the individual with whom he was now for the first time brought in contact, but whom he had long known by repute as a bill-discounter, money-lender, ac- countant, general agent—and, in’ ie one of those nondescript men of business fh whom the modern Babylon .abounds, and some of whom manage to make a pretty good livelihood and oc- | casionally to enrich themselves.. Mr. Pluckley was one of these; and though no one seemed exactly to know whether he was a man of wealth or a man of straw—whether he used his own «money or played with that of others—yet very certain it was that he did a great deal in the dis- count way, and could’-always find a few thou- .sands when the security was such as would bear some little investigation. While Mr. Casey senior was from beneath his eyebrows taking a good view of Mr. Pluckley in .order to form a judgment of the nature of the enemy he had to deal with, Sylvester sat lolling back in his chair with an affectation of fashion- able ease, while his eyes slowly wandered round the apartment to note .and criticise its contents. He observed the dingy hangings to the windows —remarked where the damp appeared through the paper on the walls—noted how the carpet was worn and soiled—wondered to what remote date belonged the ricketty old chairs—and then complacently caressed his chin as his eyes settled upon the reflection of his own ugly countenance in a looking-glass precisely opposite to which he was seated. Meanwhile Mr. Casey: senior was opening the conversation with Mr. Pluckley, by observing, ‘This is an unpleasant business, sir, which has brought us together.” ‘If there be anything unpleasant in it, Mr. Casey, it will not be my fault :” and Mr. Pluckley seemed to blend in his manner a business-like formality with a certain natural good-humoured suavity. ‘Are you determined to proceed,” inquired Casey, “in a matter where you are sure to lose ?” “IT am determined to proceed,” responded Pluckley-; “in a matter where I am sure to gain.” ‘But the acceptance is positively a forgery,” said Mr. Casey emphatically. Mr. Pluckley shook his head, at the same time observing, ‘ I think I can bring persons forward who will prove your son’s handwriting.” Dad “0 = RATE Puree pr ecm PO COMO YN Wn) tc te A