The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 378: what you’re looking at

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

THY MSYTERIES OF THE COURT. EE Anm taneously recovering his self-possession on the en- trance of the servant, and therewith his habitual reserve and caution. “I do not think—but of course I should not like to say positively,—that I am not acquainted with any one bearmg the name of Gun However he had better come up: Sir John Marston, you can retire into my private | he cabinet for a few minutes.” The Baronet accordingly proceeded into a small adjoining room which Petersfield indicated ; and almost immediately, afterwards Mr. Gun made his Lord Petersfield bowed coldly an. stiffly: for he thought that his visitor was some citizen dwelling on the eastern side of Temple Bar— and his lordship had a most haughty contempt and supreme disgnst for every body of that description. Mr. Gun stared very hard at the nobleman —and then said, *T presume that I am addressing Lord Petersfield ” “Really, Mr. Gunthorpe, I am not prepared— that is to say, I do not think I ought to answer a question so pointedly put. I may be Lord Peters- field—and indeed, after due deliberation, I think I may venture to say that I am—with every proviso requisite under such circumstances.” Mr. Ginthorpe first looked surprised—then in- dignant—and then disgusted at the nobleman’s answer; and deliberately taking a seat, he said, “You had better sit down, my lord: for I desire to have a very serious conversation with you.” “ And pray, Mr. Gunthorpe, who may you bef” asked the nobleman, as he gravely and slowly depo- sited in his arm-chair. “Don't be in a hurry to answer—take time to reflect-—~” “Jt needs no time for an honest man to proclaim himself such,” was Mr, Gunthorpe’s response; and he looked with a strange significancy at Lord Peters- Geld. “Your answer is ambiguous,” said the nobleman : “it admite of a double moaning. It may be in- tended to imply a consciousness of your own honesty : or it may be an indirect and not ungraceful tribate to mine.” “ Humph!” said Mr. Gunthorpe. “T can assure your lordship I was very far from intending the latter construction to be put upon my words at all. However, this is no oceasion for childish triffing. Lord Petersfield, is there nothing upon your con- science with which you can reproach yourself?” This was indeed a home-thrust question put to the diplomatist; and coming so quickly upon the business he had been discussing with Sir John Marston, there can be no wonder that Lord Petersfield should suddenly turn pele and look con- “ Bat little more than sixteen years have elapeed,” continued Mr. Gunthorpe, again looking very hard in ‘Lord Petersfteld’s face, “sines = certain noble. man who believed that in jou ne possessed a sincere “Ah!” gasped Petersfield, sinking back in his chair: but in a sudden paroxyem of excitement, he exclaimed, “ Who are you, Mr. Gunthorpe?”’ “ The intimate friend of that nobleman,” wai the reply solemnity and firmly given; “and one who will see that the wrong be righted. All the cxcum- stances of the past are knows: to me——~” “ Mr. Guothorpe,” interrupted Petersfield, in an imploring tone, “I beseech you to deal mercifully— ‘to these said 867 1 I will make every reparation. Where is that noble- manP You did well not to mention his name: for the very walls have ears.” “‘Yee—and doors too,” said Mr. Gunthorpe, whose keen eye had caught sight of one gently Cpening an inch or two opposite to that by which seat—walked straight up to that door—and pulli it completely open, beheld the Baronet retreating from it, having evidently been listening. A half-suppressed ejaculation escaped Mr. Guti- thorpe’s lipa: for he instantaneously recognized Sir John Marston, on whose person the ravages of time had not been sufficient to prevent sach recognition. But not for some reason of his own, to show that he had thus recognised him, Mr. Gun- thorpe turned round to Lord Petersfield, demanding sternly, “ Who is your lordship's eaves-dropper?” “Tam Sir John Marston,” the Baronet at onco said: for Lord Petersfield, sinking back aghast in his seat, coald not utter a word. “You are Mr. Gunthorpe, as I understand, and I have heard you toush upon a certain delicate matter. Perhaps, therefore, I may be admitted to the con- ne Most tho old gentleman, assuredly,” rejoined old with comnts of significant bitterness : “for if you are Sir John Marston, you are as much interested in it ae Lord Petersfield himself.” “ Granted !” exclaimed the Baronet: and he spoke with os of insolent hardihood which made Lord Potersfield think that he had devised some means of averting the threatened exposure. “Well then, Sir John Marston,” resamed Mr. Gunthorpe, “inasmuch as you have been listeni at that door, I need not repeat the words I have already spoken to Lord Petersfield. But as the friend and confidant of a certain nobleman,” he continued, accerttuating his words, “I demand an account of the stewardship of you, Lord Petersfield —of you also, Sir John Marston—in to the sum of one hundred thousand pounds deposited in your joint hands sixteen years nao, for the benellt of Elizabeth and Francis Paton.” “And are we to understand,” said Marston, “that there is a very delicate anxiety and tender interest entertained in a certain quarter with regard persons Elisabeth and Francis ?”’ “Most assuredly!” responded Mr. Gunthorpe, with a stern look. “ How dara you assume, by your very tone and manner, that it can be other- wise P” “Y assume nothing of the sort,” replied the Barondt. “I wiff ask one question. you, Mr. Gunthorpe, as the friend and confidant of a certain nobleman, seen these persons, Klisabeth and Francis ?” “T have—I have seen them buth: it is barely an: hoar since I left them. That they have been wronged —eruelly, scandalousty wronged—is but too evident : but they themselves are unconscious of the ex- tent———” “ And pray, Mr. Gunthorpe,” inquired Marston, with a sardonic smile upon his countenance, did: Elisabeth make known to you the pleasant pursuits in which she has recently been engaged ?” “What mean you, dr?” cried Mr. Gunthorpeo, angrily. “I have every reason to believe-——” “ Believe nothing without beimg eonvinced,” in- ee NOOK COUMIUC tered; and as he spoke, he rose from his | CO