The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

tation on the pert of the young nobleman who was alike his nephew and his héir. Algernon was younger than his sister, but equally handsome, though of a different style of beaaty ; and his appearance was altogether more intellectual —more expressive of fine feelings—and more indi- cative of a lofty charaeter, than that of Lady Ernestina Dysart. “My lord,” he seid, as he entered the room, *T repeat orally the regret which I recorded in writing, at being compelled thus to seek your lord- ship's presence-———” “Is there contamination in it, proud boy? de- manded the Marquis, his sneering tqne and scorn- ful look contrasting strangely with the mild voice and affectionate demeanour that he had adopted towards the young man’s sister so short a time previously. “ My lord,” answered Algernon, with a dignified firmness, “if anything bordering upon a quarrel takes place between us, it will be of your lordship’s seeking. Althongh I can never regard your lord- ship with love or esteem, I do not wish to treat you with disrespect.” “Is not the whole tenour of your conduct an outrage, Lord Algernon Cavendish? exclaimed the Marquis of Leveson angrily. “I have given you your proper name: why should you be ashamed of it?” “Oh! ashamed of it—heaven knows that I am ashamed of it! cried the young lord, with im- passioned sincerity. “But I beseech you not to force me into a discussion which will only re-open eo many wounds. With your permission, there- fore, I will proceed to state the object of my visit to your lordship.” “Go on, Lord Algernon Cavendish,” said the Marquis of Leveson, who seemed to take delight -n throwing the young man’s name at him as if it were s taunt: and the old nobleman remained standing, in order that he might not be compelled to ask his nephew to be seated. “ f require some money, my lord,” answered the latter, in a tone of ingenuous candour and frank confidence ; “and I thought perhaps that you would prefer letting me have it, rather than compel me to seek the assistance of money-lenders.” “ Artlessly spoken, upon my honear!” exclaimed the Marquis of Leveson, with an ironical laugh, “And you, Lord Algernon Cavendish, who are so particular—so very strait-laced—so extremely punctillous,—yow talk of flying to money-brokers and usurers !” “ And wherefore not, wy lord ” asked the young nobleman, with the unruffled voice and calm de- meanour of one who is conscious of no wrong and who is practising no duplicity. “The affair is very plain and simple. Circumstances have arisen which render it necessary that I should have two or three thousand guineas at the present moment; and——” : “And you come to me as a matter of right” said the Marquis, with a sneer. “But suppose that I refer you to the Jew discounters——” “No, my lord—I shall address myself to some respectable solicitor or conveyancer ?” interrupted Algernon, still maintaining a calm dignity of demeanour. “And they will doubtless suppose that I am ruined or in pecuniary embarrasaments, and unable Lae ys a SSS SS ee a to assiat you!” exclaimed the Marqais, angrily. “But they shall not have an opportunity of spreading false reports concerning me,” added the nobleman, who was as vain of his peputation for wealth as he was proud of his haughty title: “and although my nephew Lend Algernon Cavendish does declare that I dissipate. all my revennes in luxury and debauchery, I will show him that I can spere two or three thousand guineas for Ais wants, whatever they may be. Yes—and more generous, too, than he, I shall not even ask the purpose for which he needs the amount. Wow then, Lord Al- gernon Cavendish—be pleased to name the exact sum which you require.” , “Two thousand guineas will be sufficient, my lord,” answered the young nobleman, studiously avoiding eny inflammatory comment upon his uncle’s bitter and sarcastic speech. “Two thousand guineas—eh® murmured the Marquis to himself: “everything is two thousand guiness to-day! Indeed this is the day of days for strange coincidences, But wait a fow moments,” he eaid aloud, “ while I fetch my cheque-book.” And the old nobleman quitted the apartment. In about five minutes he returned: and as he opened the doors, be was struck by surprise on beholding Lord Algernon examining one of the pistols whick had been dapasited in the vases and concealed by the nosegaya. “What means this prying disposition, inselent boy t” exclaimed the Marquis, in an angry tone. “ Your lordship will pardon me, I am sure,” said the young nobleman, with unchanging demeanour: “but, being passionately fond of flowers, K took up that nosegay,”—pointing to the bouguef, which he had laid upon the table,—“and inside the vase I beheld the pisto?. Conoeiving that it could be nothing more than an admirably contrived porcelain ornament, I was curious enough to take it out of the vase in order to examine it: and my astonishment at finding it to be a real weapon had not subsided when your lordship returned to the room. If I have done wroug, I am sorry: but I have given this long explanation because I would not for a moment seem to be of an impertinently prying or rudely curious disposition.” The Marquis of Leveson looked very hard at his nephew while the latter was thus speaking: but the young man flinched not beneath the survey—and the old nobleman appeared satisfied that the proceed- ing was in reality as innocent and meaningless as it was represented. Lord Algernon, without another word, put back the pistol into the porcelain vase and replaced the nosegay: while the Marquis of Leveson sate down and wrote a cheque upon his bankers for @yo thou- sand guineas. “ There, Lord Algernon Cavendish,” he said, as he handed his nephew the draft with a frigid politeness.. “This will save you the necessity of applying to [ usurers—or respectable solicitors,” he added ironi- cally. “YT thank your lordship,” returned Algernon. “May I inquire if you have seen or heard from my sister recently f” “Lady Ernestina has been with me this day,“ answered the oid nobleman. “This day!’ echoed Algernon. “Then she is in London? But her husband » “Mention not his name, sir,—allede to him CONNEC MOO SS COMM