The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 200: what you’re looking at

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eA eS THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. —his naturally red face being quite purple with | up and endeavour to take each other’s life, for some drops down it; and his brown scratch wig had got turned all awry under his broad-brimmed hat. He brandished his gold-headed cane as if it were a con- in large | frumpery cause or another ?”’ “Permit me to ask,” interrupted Mr. Forestee. “whether you are acquainted with the motives and eauses which have led to the present meet- stable’s staff, and rolled along on his little fat legs | ing?” towards the spot where the duelliste and their se- conds stood. “Who the deuce is this?” exclaimed Captain Lennox, twirling hie moustache. “] suppose it’s some justice of the “ No, sir,” interrupted Mr. Gun who had jast arrived near enough to catch the remark. “I do not come in 8 magisterial capacity ——” “TI should think not indeed!” observed Lord Ha- rold contemptuously. “Magistrates and county- justices don’t usually take up their quarters at a boilei-beef house on Holborn Hill.” “This affair can no farther,” said Mr. Gunthorpe, bestowing not the slightest heed upon Lord Harold Staunton’s insolent observation: but placing himself midway between the two duellists’ he said, “I did not choose to involve you all in ox- posure by bringing the police authorities with mo: bat I am nevertheless determined to pat a stop to this business. So if you mean to fire, gentlemen, I must become your target.” William Deveril had started with astonishment on secing Mr. Gunthorpe; and Forester, observing the effect thus produced by that gentleman’s pre- sence, hastily inquired of Doveril if he knew who he was? “'Yese—I do indeed know who he is; and have every reason to do so,” responded the young artist. “He is one to whom I am under many obligations. Bat itis most provoking that he should have found us out !”” “Oh! he must not be allowed to interfere in this way,” added Forester. “I will see what Lennox eays.” He and the Captain thereupon accosted Mr. Gun- thorpe, and asked him by what right he strove to put a stop to this affair of honour ? “An Sa Eo oe ee ee nt the old gentleman indignantly and scornfully. pronounce it to be an affair of dishonour——" “ Beware, sir, what you say!” interrupted Cap- tain Lennox fiercely: “for with that remark you impeach the characters Of all concerned—and if you dare repeat your insolence, I shall be compelled to pull your nose for yo au” “It is a great pity, wir ,” rejoined Mr. Gunthorpe, “that the people should have to pay taxes to main- tain a set of military bullies of whom you are a very fair specimen.” ‘¢ By Jove, this is too much!” ejaculated Captain Lennox. “I must chastise you, sir.” “No—I am not,” at once rejoined Mr. Gun- ; “and what is more, I do not want to know them. It is sufficient for me that by an accident I ascertained what was going to take place; and so I hastened off to prevent it.” “T will tell you what we must do,” exclaimed Captain Lennox: “we must tie the old fellow to yon gate, or else to a tree.” “"Yea—that’s the way to dispose of him,” said Lord Harold, who for the last two or three minutes had not been mingling in the conversation. “No,” said Deveril, now advaneing towards the group in the middle of the ground: “I will permit no indignity to be offered to Mr. Gunthorpe. At the same time I must earnestly represent to Mr. Gunthorpe himself, that he will aee the impropriety of persevering in his attempt to stop this pro- “What! such words as these' from your lips, William Deveril?” enid the old gentleman reproach- fully. “ My dear sir,” responded the young artist, “I have admitted to Mr. Forester that I am acquainted with you--and your presence here may therefore be construed in a light prejudicial to my cha- racter.” “Oh! they will say that you were afraid to fight, and that you got a friend to stop the duel—will they?” exelaimed Mr. Gunthorpe. “Well then, I pledge my honour that such is not the case. In- deed, it was quite in another way I learnt what was going on——~”’ “We are not bound to believe you, sir,” remarked Captain Lennox stiffly; “and therefere, as Mr Deveril has observed, you will only prejudice his honour by persisting in your interruption.” “ Nevertheless, I do persist,” asid Mr. Gunthorpe resolutely. “Then, sir, we must remove you by force,” af once rejoined the Captain: and witha sudden move- ment he wrenched the goki-headed cane out of Mr. ’e hands. He and Forester together, then dragged the old gentleman off towards the gate, which they managed to do despite his struggles and rosistance. “ Deveril— William Deveril !” exclaimed Mr. Gun- thorpe, in accents gf mingled anzer and reproach: “is it possible that you stand idly by and see this indignity committed P? What, mr! you do not move? —I am ashamed of you !—lI am astonished at you! | After all——But I will have nothing more to do “ And I will knock you down with my cane, if | with you. Lord Harold, you too shall smart for you dare touch me,” at once retorted Mr. Gunthorpe, holding hie stick in a manner which showed that he was serious. ’t hurt the old gentleman,” said Mr. Forester, seizing the arm of Captain Lennux who was about to commit a prompt onslaught on Mr. Gunthorpe. “ Let us endeavour to reason with bim.” : You will not reason me into giving my consent to this duel,” observed the object of the remark. | “And so you call it an affair of honour, do you?. ‘What! ia it honourable for two young men to stand REE snes os ane eee Sees e SEES NEEEeewe © eee aw an & Eagan ee eee eo -- Gi > oy ae, 7 permitting this! ‘Will you not helpme? Oh! you refuse, do you? Well, mind what you are about! You will repent it, I say—you will repent it! il, you you would not seo me ill- treated—and yet you—you-—— While thus giving vent to broken ejaculations, poor Mr. Gunthorpe, breathless and exhausted with his cries and his struggies, was burried up to the gate; and there Captain Lennox and Mr. Forester bound him securely to the rails with their handker- chiefs. Lord Harold laughed contemptuously at COMME MOO 189 (CO